DOMINION RECORD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 10 February 1938, Page 9

DOMINION RECORD

OVERSEAS TRADE LAST YEAR TOTAL OF £132,874,000 GREAT INCREASE IN IMPORTS Substantial increases in the values j of exports and imports are shown in the Dominion's overseas trade returns for the calendar year 1937 which were j issued yesterday by the Customs Do- ! partmcn*. Compared with those f or 19-';G. export values increased by £9.961.000 in New Zealand currency, while imports showed an increase of nearly £12.000.000 over those for 1936 and of £l9 844.000 over those for 1935. 1 The total of the Dominion’s overseas j trade last year—exports and imports combined—was £122.874.000 as com- | pared with £401.011.000 for 1936 and £82.855.000 for 1935. In 1936 the total of exports and imports exceeded £IOO.000.000 for the first time since 1929. but in making this comparison accoqnt must be taken of the fact that the currency depreciation of approximately 25 per cent, which was effected during the depression years. The increase in export values for 1937 was largely accounted for by the high prices for wool ruling last season and improved prices for dairy produce during the last quarter of the year. The course of the Dominion's overseas commodity trade during recent y cd r> is snown lr. the following comparative table which covers the depression years:--Excess of

The main feature disclosed by the above figures is that the visible balanc > of exports over imports is now back to about normal after great fluctuations in recent years. The trad.- figures for the month of December show that exports were at the high level of £4.417.000 and imports ran up to £4.609.000. The December figures for the last three years compare as follows:

The above figures take no account < i specie, movements of which have been as follows: Exports. Imports. £ £ Month of December. 1937 12 months tc December. 1937 3500 318.310

Exports Imports exports. £ £ £ 1929 ... 54.930.000 48.734.000 6.196..); >0 19:10 . 44 940.000 44.340.000 600.000 1931 ... 34.950.000 26.498.000 8.452.000 1932 ... 35.610.000 24.646.000 10.964.000 1933 .. 4!.006.000 25.581.000 15.425.000 1934 ... 47.343.000 31.340.000 16.003.000 1935 .. 46.538.000 36.317.000 10.221.000 1936 ... 56.752.000 44.259.000 12.493.000 1937 ... 66.713.000 56.161.000 10.552.000

Month of Exports Imports Excess ol exports Dec., £ (N.Z.) £ (N.Z.) £ (N.Z.) 1937 4.417.000 4.609.000 *192.000 1936 4.322.000 4.294.000 28.000 1933 3.922,000 3,214.000 708,000 •Excess of imports.