THE TRADE RETURNS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5118, 10 November 1903, Page 4

THE TRADE RETURNS.

The “Kew Zealand Gazot'eo” of thooth instant contained tho official returns of tho exports and imports of tho colony for the third quarter of 1903, and as this period closes tho trao statistical year for the mast important of our exports tho returns now before ms aro of more than ordinary interest—enabling us to compile a statement of tho trade of tho colony for tho complete twelvemonth. Collating, then,, tho figures for the four quarterly periods, wo find that the year’s exports compare as follows with previous similar periods:—

Statements for years ending with the 31st March and 30th June showed totals for 1902-3 exceeding' fifteen millions, but those statements covered in each ease portions of two seasons, and were, therefore, not quite satisfactory. Tho present return exhibits a total slightly, but only slightly, below that very handsome figure; still it represents, as wo have said, tho tnuo result for tho season. Tho latest year shows an increase upon 1901-2 of £1,060,045, an increase of about 121 per cent. Tho comparison with the two earlier years would have boon much more favourable than shown by die above figures, but for tho very inflated values that were put upon our wool exports in those two periods. It was estimated at tho time that tho official figures would have to bo reduced by £1,000,000 and £BOO,OOO in tho two years respectively to bring tho tion of wool down 'to,approximately, tho actual realisation. The values of cur chief products in the last two years compare as follows;

Total N. Z. ' produce £13,141,749 £14,795,921 It will be seen that the increase am the first two lines is nearly equal to the total increase for the year, that on wool and sheepskins being over £1,000.000 and that on frozen meat more than £600,000. Increase is, however, also shown, in gold, butter and obcese, kauri gum and hemp, bint these_are practically counterbalanced by the falling-off of £417,723 in grain and grain-stuffs. The weight of the year’s export of wool compares as follows with that of the preceding twelvemonth: —

Tho increase in quantity is thus loss than 3J- per cent, while the total increase in value is equal to over 28 per cent, the valuation per lb being, higher by /about 25 per cent. The average for 1902-3 was Gd, against 4.84 d for 1901-2. As to frozen meat, there is an increase in weight sufficient to account for more than half the total augmentation, of £607,000, the balance of tho improvement being caused by enhanced prices. Butter shipments for the year total 257,568 cwt, against 244,833 cwt in 1901-2, an increase of 12,735" cwt, or a little over 5 per cent; but tiro exports of cheese show- 68,608 cwt, against 77,391 cwt in the preceding twelvemonth, a decrease of 8783, or more than 10 per cent. The aggregate total value, however, is better by £89,181. Kauri gam shows an improvement of £136,119, or about 30 per cent, the total weight being 9213 tons, against 8724 tons, an increase of about 61 per cent. In gold there is an improvement of £135,174, tho increase being, chiefly derived from the Auckland mines. The total values of goods exported from each of the principal ports compare as follows for the .last two years:—

Each port shows substantial expansion, except the two southern ports, Dunedin and Bluff, and in these eases tho falling-off is, no doubt, attributable, auainly, if not entirely, to the diminution in tho export of oats, tho shipments of which are. reduced by about 35 per cent, in quantity and about 50 per cent, in value Wellington heads tho list as to total value of exports, although sho does not get credit for a large proportion of tho goods that actually taJio their departure from this port, great care being taken by the Customs to giro credit to the original port of despatch for all cargo brought coastwise to Wellington for shipment. Imports compare as follows as to total value of arrivals during the same four ycara:— Year ended Sop. SO Value of Imports.

The increase for tho year 1902-3 is £1,105,473, of which specie contributes £161,069. The totals for the chief ports in the last two yeans compare as follows :

It is gratifying to see that in imports as -well as in exports Wellington takes the first place among the ports of the colony, and shows also the heaviest increase for the. year. Comparing the colony’s imports and exports for the past year, .the account stands as follows :

Excess of exports 2,603,521 The margin is scarcely as large as we should wish to see, as it is below the estimated amount of our annual outside obligations for interest on borrowed money. A large proportion of the imports. however, consists of specie, which the banks have been bringing in to strengthen their reserves of coin. The imports and exports of specie for the year compare as follows: —Imports. £612,571: exports, £40.392: exows of imports. £572,179. Making allowance for this factor, the position may he considered very satisfactory.

Year ended Sep. 30. Vo.tie of Exports. £ 1900 ... 13.661,220 1901 ... 12,754,621 1902 ... 13,302,832 1903 ... 14.903,527

1901-2. 1902-3 £ £ Wool and sheepskins 3,493.190 4,494,295 Frozen meat... 2,684,250 1,912,509 3,291,736 Gold 2,047,742 B p 11 o r and cheeso ..'. 1,301,400 1,390,047 Grain (whole and grojund)... 1,013.035 593,312 Tallow 554,793 518,370 Kauri gum 453.803 589,922 Hemp 463,665 579,547 Timber 226,472 220,836 Other N.Z., produce 1,046,600 1,061,514

Year 1901-2 ... 155,652,5631b Year 1902-3 ... 160,919,6931b

1901-2. 1902-3. £ £ Auckland 2,054,344 2,452,750 Naples ... 722,743 998,884 Wellington ... 2,344,133 2,725,517 Lyttelton ... 2,410,334 2,674,280 Dunedin ... 1,557,980 1,500,360 Bluff ... 1,002,853 312,317

1900 ... 10,047,333 3901 ... 11,925,600 1902 ... 11,254,533 1903 ... 12,360,006

1901-2. 1902-3. £ £ Auckland , 3.142,381 2,978,400 Wellington .. 3',158.987 3,704,375 Lyttelton , .. 1,795,536 1,946,065 Dunedin .. 1,803,758 2,142,299

Total exports .. 14,963,527 Total imports ... 12,360,006