RECORD IN EXPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20947, 10 August 1931, Page 11

RECORD IN EXPORTS.

HIGHEST QUANTITY IN 1930-31.] EFFECT ,OF FALLEN PRICES. VALUES AT PRE-WAR LEVEL. A new record in tho volume of exports from New Zealand was established in tho 12 months ended June 30, 1931. The total valuation was £36,944,977, whereas the record stands at £56,625,345 for 192425. Assessment of the exports at uniform prices shows that the quantity was the highest ever attained. The official calculation is made in respect of 18 commodities representing more than 94 jier cent, of tho total exports and the comparison is made by valuing quantities at 1913-14 prices. Following is a summary of tho results for recent years, in comparison with 1913-14, the figures in tho first column representing the recorded values of the 18 commodities only and those in the second affording an index of aggregate quan-

Comparison of the figures in the last column shows that the previous record, in 1928-29, has been surpassed and that the volume of exports in the last season was 50 per cent, greater than in 1913-14. Prices in Three Seasons. The severe fall in prices in the last two years is illustrated by the following comparisons of tho declared values of exports, those for wool being for a bale, the others for one hundredweight, and in the last column, the ratio of decline in the two years is given:— Decrease 1928-29. 1929-30 1930-31 Per cent. Butter ..£8.13 £7.16 £5.49 > 32 Cheese . . 4.15 3.80 2.92 30 Beef .. 1.58 1.76 1.38 13 Lamb . . 3.08 3.42 2.84 23 Mutton . . 2.03 2.00 1.52 2a Wool . . 23.14 14.74 9.0 d 59 Reviewing the returns for the past season, in the Abstract of Statistics, the Government Statistician says that in spite of a slight rise in the prices received for wool during the latter months of the period under review, the sustained depreciated value of this commodity contributed largely toward the total decline recorded. Altogether, exports of wool declined by £1,961,182 in value, representing a decrease of 35 per cent, per bale exported. At the same time the actual quantity of wool shipped overseas during the year was 95,332 bales in excess of the total for the previous year. Exports ol Dairy Produce. Butter and cheese both recorded substantial decreases in value exported, particularly cheese, which, in the face of a record shipment exceeding the previous year by 113,965cwt., shows a decline in value of £1,134,729, due to a fall of 23 per cent, in the average unit price-level. Butter values also depreciated by 23 per cent., the total decrease in value amounting to £3,104,697, a figure considerably in excess of that recorded for cheese. Other noteworthy declines were: Honey, 251,1051b., £8920; beef, 47,545cwt., £192,701; sausage casings, 353,8271b., £279,116; preserved milk, 1,568,7251b., £33,803; apples, 3,612,2561b., £74,796; rabbitskins, 1,521,108 (number), £184,947; sheepskins, without wool, 1,365,557 (number), £688,626; coal, 76,335 tons, £84,278. The value of exported opossum skins fell from £102,461 to £29,429; of flax, from £273,778 to £65,724; of tallow, from £686,261 to £505,979; of kauri gum, from £257,964 to £124,168; of gold, from £544,999 to £519,795; and of sawn timber, from £426,505 to £188,684. In spite of increased shipments of lamb (286,115cwt.), mutton (166,954cwt.), calfskins (26,900), and hides (32,669), values for those articles decreased by £361,174, £231,535. £37,731, and £76,480, respectively. There were no outstanding increases in values of individual items exported during the period covered.

tity:— Recorded Pre-war value. values. 1913-14 • V . £22,929,290 £ 22,929,290 1924-25 . 53,594,637 30,325,956 1925-2(5 • 3 . 42,412,208 28,381,337 1926-27 . 42,081,597 30.658.128 1927-28 . 51.103,457 ' 33,619,901 1928-29 . 52,113,050 33,881.857 1929-30 . 43,375.606 33.389.639 1930-31 . 31,207,477 34,682,863