OUR BEST CUSTOMER

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1931, Page 2

OUR BEST CUSTOMER

GREAT BRITAIN EASILY FIRST. Jn his annual revival presented to members of the Auckland Chamber ot Commerce, the retiring president, Mr Mr. Stewart, drew special attention to the trend of our overseas trade. tie said : In examining our trade figures for the year ended December 31, 1930, it is disappointing to find a serious drop in the export figures from New Zealand to practically all countries except Great Britain, which now takes four-fifths of our total exports, and from whom we import approximately half our total imports. Canada in the previous year purchased from us over 6 per cent of our total exports, but last year the percentage was 5.6, while this year the figures have dropped still further, sympathetically with the increased tariff imposed hv Canada against our goods (particularly butter) since October, 1930. Australia in the previous year purchased from us 4.2 per cent of our total exports, but last year the percentage was only 3.-1.

IT.S.A. in the previous year purchased from us 6.6 per cent of our total exports, while last year the percentage was -1.7 only. Other countries’ figures exhibit- similar comnarisons, and we are forced to the conclusion (and 1 would emphasise it) that we are losing our export trade in all important directions exrent Great Britain. Wo must remedy this, and active steps should, be taken to secure new markets, also to endeavour to arrange without further procrastination reciprocal agreements with Canada and Australia.