FIJI'S GROWING TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19891, 9 March 1928, Page 7

FIJI'S GROWING TRADE.

A SATISFACTORY REVIEW.

INCREASE IN EXPORTS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. 3

. . „ SUVA. March 1. In the course of the anhual report of the Chamber of Commerce of Suva, the president, Sir Maynard Hedstrom, said that in his report of 1926 he pointed out that .as compared with 1925 there was a heavy increase in the imports and a larger decrease in the exports, and ha said then: "At tlio end of 1926 importing houses were carrying heavy stocks and bonded-stocks were unusually high," The result of this condition has been reflected in the trade figures for 1927, in which year, as compared with 1926, imports decreased by £257,642, and exports increased by £256,947. The whole of the increase in exports is mora than accounted for by the increased tonnage in sugar, the estimated value in 1926 being £308,185, and in 1927 £1.125,215. The total trade for 1925 was £3,427,392, 1926 £3,221,372, 1927 £3,220,677. The revenue for 1926 was £584,515, and expenditure £535,957, showing a surplus of £43,558 on the year's operations. For 1927 it is estimated that the total revenue will be approximately £568,000, and expenditure about £532,000. In shipping it was stated as follows:—lnward, 1924, 123 vessels," tonnage 402,672; 1925, 174 vessels, tonnage 592,542;, 1926, -190 vessels, tonnage 682,597; 1927, 176' vessels, tonnage l 641,491. Outwards, 1924, 119 vessels, tonnago 389,431; 1925, 165 vessels, tonnage 567,575; 1926, 187 vessels, tonnage 674,91.2; 1927, 177 vessels,- tonnage 637,382. During the year most business houses at times have complained of dull trade, but on the whole, the colony has made steady progress. The building trade in Suva has been particularly active.

RECEIPTS OF BUTTER-FAT. TE AROHA COMPANY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] TE AROHA, Tiiiirsday. The total quantities of butter-fat handled by tho To Aroha Dairy Company, Limited, for the months of December, January and February of this season, compared with the corresponding period last season, shows an increase of 21.9 per cent, in December, an increase of 5.5 per cent, in January, and a decrease of 10 per cent, in February. TII9 progressive increase for the season to the end of December was 25 per cent.; for the season to the end of January 21 per cent.; for the season to the end of February, 17 per cent. Although there was a falling-off in the supply during January, and a phenomenal reduction in February, the total quantity received for tho whole season to date is in excess of that received for the same period of last season by 17 per cent.

AUSTRALIAN PRODUGE. (Received March 8, 8.48 p.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, March 8

The following are to-day's quotations on the Sydney produce market : Wheat.—At country stations, 4s lOd; ex truck Sydney, Ss sgd. Flour. —Export trade lifeless; local, £l2 15s. Bran. —£6. ■ Pollard.—£7 10s. Oats.—Tasmanian, Algerian, 4s. 3d to ss; white, 4s lid to ss. - Maize.-—3s 9d to 4s. - Potatoes.- —Tasmanian, £5 to £6 10s. Onions.—Victorian, £ll. Adelaide prices are:— Wheat. —Growers' lots, 5s 3d, Flour.—Bakers' lots, £l3 7s 6d. Bran. —£6 ss. Pollard.—£7 7s 6d. Oats.—3s 3d.