YEAR BOOK FACTS

Grey River Argus, 11 February 1938, Page 9

YEAR BOOK FACTS

BETTER TIMES ALL ROUND. The. New Zealand Official Year Book for 1938 has been issued. It provides' striking evidence of better times all round. Indeed, the volume itself demonstrates Increased prosperity, there being 100 more pages than in the previous issue. It can be fairly claimed that in scope and thoroughness of general information it is the best year book in the world. The latest issue gives a complete account of the social and economic life of New Zealand buttressed with all the resources of the Government Statistician. There is also a prefatory “Stop Press” section giving information up to a later date than is includ ed in the body of the book. Many items of information show the wonderful social and economic improvement throughout New Zealand withirt the past year or so. The population has increased by about 20,000, there have been more marriages and the serious decline in the birth rate has been arrested. There are more cots as well as more cottages. STRIKING INCREASES.

Exports for the year ended last October were up by £10,000,000 over the total for the previous corresponding twelve months. Wool was the principal export commodity, the value being £19,000,000 in round figures. It is estimated that the quantity of wool tnis season on a greasy basis will weigh 313,000,000 lbs., compared with the production of 302,900,000 lbs. in the 1936-37 season. Butter was a close second in our exports last year, its value being £16,000,000. Export meat was worth £13,000,000. There was a remarkable increase last year in the imports of motor vehicles. The’ declared value of these was £6,000,000 compared with £4,250,000 in 1936. Electrical machinery, including Wireless apparatus, exceeded £3,000,000, showing an increase of £1,000,000. Industrial returns show a great improvement with widespread evidence of buoyancy. Practically all industries show increased employment. Farm production generally was exceptionally good last, year, ano land transfers were half as much again of the previous year’s business. Altogether the 984 pages of the Year Book are crammed with stimulating information as to general prosperity and development.