Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1931. THE DOMINION’S TRADE BALANCE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2803, 20 November 1931, Page 4

Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1931. THE DOMINION’S TRADE BALANCE.

-— - -o THE latest issue of the Monthly Abstract of Statistics shows what is occasionally forgotten by speakers and writers on the trade position, that the Dominion has handsomely recovered its necessary export surplus. It is true that the advantage has been won, back very largely by the curtailment of imports, but this is the very fact which is overlooked by those who press for drastic action to reduce them. This is not to say, of course, that it is not important to increase exportable production. It is important to do so, because it is far better to achieve the necessary surplus by increasing sales than by decreasing purchases; but the figures are encouraging as they stand. The trade returns for the nine months ending September 30th show that exports to all countries were valued at £20,770,853, while the value of imports was £19.098,029, giving a trade balance of nearly £8,000,000 for the period. As in the past the great bulk of exports went to the United Kingdom, which received produce valued at over £23.000,000. Imports from Great Britain were valued at lather more than £9.500,000. Exports to foreign countries totalled £2,058,579, while imports from them were valued a! £5,570,255. As for signs ef increasing export trade, the most hopeful appears in the butter figures, which show that production for the first two months of the present season is 5.3 per "cent, greater than last season. The cheese position is not so good, and the Abstract notes a declining tendency in th.* frozen meat market; but the recovery at the London wool sales, after the opening fall, and the general likelihood of a rise in prices make it possible to hope that wool wiH cease to be the "most disturbing factor" in price comparisons, and that the increased exports of frozen lamb, butter, hiden and skins will bring a nroportinnately increased return.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH CAMPS.

DURING the next few weeks the public of New Zealand have an opportunity, by purchasing the Christmas Seal Stamps cn sale nt al) post offices, to assist in an effort to provide permanent bases for health camps for treatment of children suffering from malnutrition. Stamps were used as a means of mining money for hospitals as long ago as the Civil War in the United Slat.s. In 1897 such a stamp was used in Australia to secure funds for the establishment of sufferers from tuberculosis. Bui it is to the inspiration of a Danish postal clerk, Elinar Holboell, that we owe the Christmas Seal idea ns it has developed in the past 28 years. He it was who, in 1903, interested his Government in the idea of sale of stamps at Christmas lime to build a hospital for tuberculous children. In New Zealand such funds as may be obtained through this source will be used as indicated for> prevention of tuberculosis.

As a stimulus to growth, as mPeducative principle, and as a regulalßFof the nervous system, the existence of health camps has proved invaluable and a boon to many delicate children who require consideration in regulating their physical output of energy, and eliminating undue fatigue. A great improvement in the physical and mental vitality of the children composing the health camps is always a striking example of the benefit to be derived from the simple routine which provides these facilities for health, fresh air, sunlight, correct food, rest, and exorcise. The educational and health authorities in New Zealand aim of turning out the best children physically and mentally, but through social and economic conditions, and other causes, there are amongst school children many who need supervision such as provided in health camps. Without facilties for treatment Cor such children what is to be their fate? Thousands in the Dominion have now an opportunity to decide, for by purchasing these stamps a person is assisting to transform an ailing, sickly child into a robust, happy one. How can we possibly reap greater and more lasting benefiijs than by protecting our children from tuberculosis and diseases that handicap them in the battle of life?