EXPORTS DECREASING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14806, 9 October 1911, Page 8

EXPORTS DECREASING.

SHORTAGE FOR THE YEAR. , NEARLY TWO MILLIONS. The New Zealand produce year terminated on September 30, and the monthly returns published by the Department Of Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourists afford us a view of the year's results (says the Dominion). The total exports for the past year amount to £18,471,118 in, value, as compared with £20,354,272 for the year ended September 30, 1910. There has thus been a shrinkage of £1,883,154, which is rather large. Comparing the totals for each month we obtain the following.:— EXPORTS. 1910-11 1909-10 £ £ October ... 720,333 822,248 November ... 1,041,183 1,070.461 December ... 2,161,769 1,856,625 January ... 3,026,016 2,845,421 February ... 2,346,744 2,962,778 March ... 2,492,318 2,669,221 April 1,459,331 2,213,269 May ... .. ; 1.824,216 1,566,947 June 1,038,173 1.494,587 July 1.053.887 1.295,487 August ... 684,255 ' 896,549 September ... 574,277 665,055

The above figures are taken from the interim returns and are subject to alteration. The corrections, if any, may make the totals slightly more or less, but not sufficient to disturb any comparisons. The values of the principal products exported during the past two years compare as under:— 1910-11 1909-10 £ £ Butter ... ... 1.636,997 1,724,456 Cheese ... ... 1,087,862 1.263,005 Beef ... 332,274 634,380 Mutton 1,121,787 1,224.380 Legs and pieces 48,262 63,966 Lamb 1,955,794 1,890,281 Wheat 303,612 119,959 Oats 22,735 66,710 Potatoes 5,689 3,544 Hemp 340,989 451,120 Rabbits 76,476 73.945 Tow ... 26,441 29,576 Kauri Gum ... 398,357 523,620 Grain and pulse 94,846 72,805 Hops 11,893 19,774 Hides 168,772 236,777 Skins 769,095 . 888,038 Tallow 636,331 744,974 Timber 474.046 367,510 Wool 7.145.782 7,954,527 Gold 1,813,078 2,000,925

18,471.118 20.354,272 It. will be seen that in practically all the principal lines of exports, with the exception of frozen lamb, wheat, and timber, there has been a falling-oil in value. While there is no occasion for alarmist comment on the situation it may be noted that the figures bear out our anticipations as expressed earlier in the year, and prove the need for the exercise of that care and prudence in private business which unfortunately is conspicuous only by its absence in the administration of our public affairs.