AUCKLAND'S EXPORT TEADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15265, 1 April 1913, Page 6

AUCKLAND'S EXPORT TEADE.

Another remarkable advance ,in Auckland's export trade is shown by the port statistics published' in to-day's Herald. The trade of the province in the opening months of ,1912 was a surprise to the southern New, Zealander, who. in spite of sound evidence to the contrary, held tenaciously to the opinion that our statistics were being inflated by , a boom which would certainly burst. To-day even southern New Zealand is convinced that the progress ,of Auckland is healthy progress due to the development of our lands in' face of many obstacles, and southern New Zealanders aire showing their confidence in the future of the province by'flocking northward to help in the work of further development. There is>,no room for pessimism in face of the fact that our butter exports for the January-March quarter ( have shown a 50 per cent, advance in two years and a 20 per cent, advance in the quarter just closed. Nor has this increase in tile output of , our leading provincial product been gained at the expense of other articles of export. Compared with the same quarter of. last year. wool shows an increase of £60,000 :in value arid the frozen meat export, though a comparatively small item in Auckland's trade, has almost ."doubled.' The figures -:■ are gratifyingj but they might have been multiplied many times had lands been made available! to meet the pressing demand. So grudgingly has. land been opened in recent- yeans -that willinig: s settlers are to-day crowding the laaad ballots with no hope but for a rejection so that) their case may be stronger at the next opportunity. Preference lor the married ; and the * twicerejected is in present circumstances fair and equitable,- but at i best it is only a makeshift; The ;■ hope for, Auokland and for New Ziaaland lies in ' the Gbveinnjent providing/land for every willing and capable settler, married or singlej, at the first time of asking. A- year ago this would have seemed beyond owr wildest dreams. To-day with the Lands Department under an enthusiastic and synnpathetic Minister there is hope that the difficulties will soon be overcome and the laud hunger satisfied. ;:; ; '.V'' ''- ■