PRODUCTION AND TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 12

PRODUCTION AND TRADE.

The outstanding feature of the trade returns for September is the increase in exports to £2,502.000, making the total for the quarter £7,051,000; both figures are the highest for these periods for several years. The returns for the nine months arc equally gratifying, for the value of exports has been higher than in any similar period in recent years, and is within £300,000 of the total for the whole of 1923. The large increase in imports in August has not been repeated in September, but with deliveries valued at £4,143,000, importation has been on the heavy scale usual at this time of the year. The new season of production has opened auspiciously, with a surplus for exports of record dimensions. On the other hand, the volume of importation indicates a general revival of internal trade. It is unfortunate that more attention is not given to such precise evidence of the country's economic condition as the trade returns and less heed paid to those who, for political purposes, constantly proclaim gospel of despair. The fact that in nine months the Dominion has sold abroad £12,627,000 worth of produce above its purchases is surely convincing proof that in this period there has been a substantial increment to the national wealth, the confirmation of which is found in the bank returns. That a large part of that wealth is lying unproductive is not the fault, of the Government, but of the hesitation and the uncertainty among those to whom it> belongs, and their doubts may fairly be attributed to the mischievous propaganda of those who have persistently decried the country's prospects, rural and urban, agriculture and manufacture. New Zealand s piogress in the past has not been made by magnifying imaginary obstacles, but by resolutely facing real difficulties, and its progress will be resumed and its prosperity enjoyed more thoroughly as soon as there is a general appreciation of the actual condition, in which there is no justification for despondency.