DOMINION'S IMPOSTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19098, 17 August 1925, Page 11

DOMINION'S IMPOSTS.

BRITISH .SHARE DECLINING. LOCAL OR FOREIGN GOODS. SCOPE FOR HOME INDUSTRY. Iho United Kingdom is still by far the most important supplier of tho Dominion's requirements from overseas, but tho proportionate importance of this trade is gradually declining, says the annual report of- the Department of. Industries and Commerce, in reviewing the external trade of New Zealand. During recent years the United States, Canada and Japan have supplied a much greater proportion of the Dominion's imports than in pre-war years. Japan has, however, lost much of the trade which she secured during .the war.

The report emphasises that imports are inflated by commodities which the country could itself produce. "It is much to bo regretted that the Dominion should be forced to buy from a,broad such essential commodities as wheat, oats, coal,' and soft-wood timbers. Tho Dominion has also imported to an increasing extent commodities easily procurablo in the Dominion, such as biscuits and confectionery, oils and paints. A lessening in the value of imports of softgoods and footwear somewhat assisted the local industries, more particularly the boot and shoe industry. It should again be emphasised that production is the all-import-ant factor, and that in reducing tho amount of our imports our local manufacturers are improving our favourable trado balance, and are consequently assisting in meeting our indebtedness abroad. If prices for our leading lines of export continue to decline, it will be essential that we should rely more upon our own resources and use every possible means to increase the production of such commodities as wheat, oats, and coal. Greater attention in this regard to our own manufactured goods, which are able to compete favourably as to price and quality, would also effect a material gain in the Dominion's economic welfare."

Attention is directed to tho opportunities -offering to develop local industries. The report says that in 90 per cent, of the secondary industries there is a hopeful tone and tho prospects are good. Competition from overseas supplies is, however, becoming more keen, and the return to tho gold standard with a reduction and stabilisation of the exchanges may appreciably affect the position, particularly so far as Australian competition is concerned. A brief examination of the imports during the past 12 months indicates possibilities for extension of New Zealand manufactures in the undermentioned classes of goods, the value imported during tho last 12 months being shown :—Canned fish, £170,000; biscuits, £15,000; confectionery, £250,000; jams, £22,000; pickles and sauces, £22,000; apparel and ready-made clothing, £2,000,000; boots and shoes, £900,000; leather-cloth, £27,000; woollen piece-goods, £900,000; linseed-oil, £77,000; pig iron, £60,000; dairying machinery, £170,000; leather, £326,000; basketware, £18,000; earthernware and chinaware, £288,000; cement, £9000; furniture. £51,000; tiles, £78,000; sulphur, £56,000; brushware, £120,000; candles, £30,000; matches, £52,000; soap, £92,000; total, £5,733,000. The total imports for the year were £48,527,070.