BETTER BUSINESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21925, 8 October 1934, Page 5

BETTER BUSINESS

BUOYANCY DURING AUGUST! SOME STRIKING FIGURES UPWARD TREND IN IMPORTS Further statistical claim for improvement in external and internal business conditions in made in official figures relating to August, which, it is stated, show a welcome degree of buoyancy for an off-season month. According to the latest Abstract of Statistics, the most striking feature of the month was the marked rise in the value of imports, which equalled £3,219,000 in New Zealand currency or £2,.'58G,000 in sterling. Thisi was the highest value recorded since January, 1931. Tho Abstract states: —"During tho first eight months of 1934, imports have shown a marked upward tendency compared with the previous year, and it appears that an adjustment of imports to the improved returns from export trading is taking place. Thero have been substantial increases in tho volume of imports of many commodities. The number of motor-cars imported totalled 7918, compared with 1905 last. year. The same trend is seen in motor spirit and materials for the building industry." Reference is made to the excess of imports for the month, the second successive month in which an excess has been shown. "In tho later months of 1930 a heavy excess of imports was recorded as the result of a tiharp drop in the value of exports, and the lag in the adjustment of imports to a rapidly developing economic crisis," the Abstract states. "The position is now reversed, the rise in the value of imports being in adjustment to continued improvement in the value of exports and in the economic position generally." Sales-tax receipts during August totalled £185,037, the highest figure since January, and it is claimed that this points definitely to a considerably greater volume of internal wholesale trade. Tho number of land transfers for the month was 1752, the greatest number since December, 1930, the consideration, £1,320,675, being the highest since July, 1932. The number of mortgages registered, 13(i8, has not been exceeded since August, 1932, while the amount involved, £1,301,652, is the highest recorded since July, 1931. Other statistics adduced to show the buoyant trend include railway returns and figures for building activity, which has been stimulated by the subsidy scheme. CLAUDE NEON, LTD. SYDNEY FIRM'S YEAR Claude Neon, Limited, Isydney, the shares of which have been listed on Now Zealand Stock Exchanges, mado a net profit for the yerr ended June 30 of £10,163, after providing £4OOO for taxation. This) compares with £4439 earned in the previous year and £3928 in 1931-32. The year's dividend was 10 per cent, against 8 per cent for the previous year. Undivided profits amount to £4527. The company has a paid capital of £90,899 in £1 shares.