VALUABLE TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23928, 31 March 1941, Page 9

VALUABLE TRADE

THE BUTTER CHEQUE £18,000,000 LAST YEAR LARGE SHARE TO AUCKLAND The most valuable section of the Dominion's export trade is involved in the latest development in regard to dairy produce. In 1940 proceeds from the shipment of butter yielded approximately a quar!or ol New Zealand's aggregate export income, some C 15.000.000 of a total income of £'73,741.000. To Auckland the butter trade is even more important, as this province manufactures and ships just over 70 per cent of the total butter exports of the whole Dominion. By far the greater part of the dairy production of the Dominion is shipped from the main North Island ports. Auckland commands the butter trade, while Taranaki, a great deal of whose produce is shipped through New Plymouth, is particularly important in cheese; The disposition of the dairy produce shipments among the principal ports is as follows: Butter Cheese Ports Ton.? XN'.Z.OOO Tons £X.Z.O<>O Akld. .. no.il'JG J.'I.KM 'J 5,1 '2 ft 'J, 040 Wfttn. . J 7.737 2,11."> 30.H20 3,212 L.v'ton , I , Ui!t 208 (iSI 55 D'rlin .. 383 on 1,7.V> 13!) Other .. 1 .">,:?;><> 2,110 31,150 2,7.10 Values ol Exports The value of tha Dominion's total export trade in 1940 was a record, due in some measure to wartime prices and to the export of surpluses under agreements with the British Government. The quantities and value of the principal commodities exported from New Zealand last year were: Tons* X'X.Z. Hotter .. irtl.ss-l I 5,228.02(i Wool (bales) .. 8ii0,73S Hi,s7">.ol"> La in h .. 1 (To J I ,018,807 Cheese .. ~ 1111 ,07."> 5,'.>33,180 Mutton .. 77,0K7 '_',S7S,(>(>o Frozen beef .. OH, 130 1,010 (iohi (nz.) .. nss.:!7i> 1,1112.a.",s Pork .. -J0,1120 l,!»:Sfi.2K> Sh'pskins, no wool (No.) 1 1,301,30-t 1,:!55,152 *Kxcept where otherwise stated. Growth of Gold Output These figures emphasise the increasing importance ot the gold industry to the country, particularly during the present times. As a result of the development of large seah: dredging operations in the South Island the Dominion's gold output, fortunately, has been on the upgrade in the past few years until now it occupies seventh place among the 32 items comprising the principal exports of the country. Last year's export of 188,3700z.. valued at £'1,942,358, represents a further distinct improvement on the previous vear's figures of 176,3700z., valued at £'1,628,526. EFFECT ON AUCKLAND PRINCIPAL IMPACT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VIEW "The announcement, while of grave concern to the Dominion as a whole, will have its principal impact in the Auckland provincial district, as t lie main butter-producing area of New Zealand," said the president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Mr. L. A. Eady, when referring yesterday to the statement of the Minister of Marketing,- the Hon. J. G. Barclay, on prospects for the export of butter. "Apart from the grave effect on our national income through the loss of a large part of our butter and meat exports, there are other aspects arising from the position that need most careful consideration," Mr. Eady continued. "The problem is essentially one of shipping. In tlfe conservation of tonnage, it is obviously of the utmost importance that Britain should ensure the speediest turn-around of ships that is possible, using nearer sources of supply, such as Canada, the United States and South America. ,)s a result, the lesser amount of tonnage available to bring imports to this country, as well as to supply shipping facilities for our exports. presents a serious problem to industries depending on overseas supplies of raw materials and semi-manufactured materials. It is clearly evident that grave urgency exists for a rapid but comprehensive survey of the whole position, and quick decisions must be made j by the Government. "The Government cannot be urged too strongly to learn a lesson from the past and take advantage of the expert knowledge and wide experience of those closely associated with the industries most affected by the present situation." ,