FIVE MONTHS' TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 4, 5 July 1938, Page 14

FIVE MONTHS' TRADE

EXCESS OF EXPORTS

IMPORTS TAPER OFF

Returns of overseas trade as fur-nished-by the Customs show a tapering off of imports during the month of May, 1938, and an increase in the value of exports for that month when comparison is made with the returns for April.; last. The., returns are shown in New Zealand currency. For the first five months of this year and far the past two years the position was as follows: — 5 mths. ■..•• : Excess of '■■/ ended ' Exports. imports. exports. ■May. : £(N.Z.) £(N,Z.) £CN.Z.J 1938 31,393,000 23,525,000 7,867,000 1937 36,607,000 21,767,000 14,8,40,000 1936 30,010,000 16,427,000 13,583,000 The narrowing of the margin between exports and imports conspicuous at the end of April to £92,000 has been checked, and at the end of May the position was an excess of exports ;of over £2,000,000. The figures for the month. of May are as follows:—' ; \Excess of Month of Exports. Imports. exports. May. £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) 1938 6,271,000 4,184,000 • 2,087,000 1937 .... 5,925,000 4,441,000 1,484,000 1930 . . 5,075,000 3,246,000 1.829,000 The bare monthly returns are not of much assistance in forming an opinion of the course of overseas trade, as they are affected by steamers' arrivals and departures. More or fewer overseas vessels may arrive and discharge in one month than in that before, and at this time of year the volume of exports is generally lower than it will be when produce, is pouring into the ports of shipment. At the same time, it will be noted in the returns for five months that this year's exports were valued at nearly £5,250,000 less than for the corresponding period of last year; and that the imports show an increase of £1,759,000. The returns given above exclude specie. For the five months specie imports were £22,313, and exports ■£750. '