THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1924. TRADE FIGURES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19349, 9 December 1924, Page 6

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1924. TRADE FIGURES.

The Minister of Lands was rather more optimistic than Sir Harold Beauchamp was last week in his estimate of the value to which the export trade of the dominion will attain in the year that is now drawing to a close. Sir Harold Beauchamp predicted that the total at the end of the year would be £58,000,000. Mr M’Leod said, in one of his numerous utterances in the course of his tour through Otago, that

he thought the £60,000,000 mark would be reached. Whichever of these two forecasts is nearer the actual figure, the value of the export trade for the twelve months will be considerably in excess of that for any previous year. For the ten months up to the end of October, the exports represented a value of £43,886,071, and the extraordinarily high prices that are being commanded by wool ensure that the concluding two months of the year will swell the value very materially. It is already apparent that the margin between the value of the exports and the value of the imports for the year will be so substantial as to contribute in a marked degree to the consolidation of the financial position of the country. It may have been observed that what seems to be a note of regret has been sounded from Auckland over the fact that, in a great many cases, the proceeds of the wool clips will not be handled directly by the farmers since they will have to be applied to the repayment of the advances of which the farmers have had the benefit in the past few years. The reflection of the farmer that his wool cheques will not be entirely available for his personal utilisation may be distinctly sorrowful, but it is very greatly in the interests of the country that the companies and firms that have been financing the farmer should be relieved from the position of embarrassment into which their policy of freely—perhaps too freely—granting advances carried them. It is suggested that two or three good seasons may be necessary before some of the farmers in the north will be able to find then feet in the financial sense. That may be true, but if so it is desirable that it should be realised that phenomenally good seasons do not in variably repeat themselves and that it is inevitable that there will be a reaction sooner or later. A mere comparison of the returns of the value of the exports from the dominion over a series of years is sufficient to show how dangerous it would be to count upon a steady recurrence of years of abundant sales in association with high prices. It is a remarkable circumstance that the exports for the current year, if they equal 60 millions in value, will he more than double those of a year so recent as 10 years ago, when the export trade reached £26,261,447. If, however, the returns for that year should be omitted from any compari son because they were affected by the fact that it was the first year of the Great War and if for that reason we select the figures of the preceding year for comparative purposes we find in 1913, when a period of many years had not been disturbed by any serious war, the exports totalled £22,986,722 only. . An increase of nearly 40 millions in the export trade of the country in eleven years is simply amazing. The point that merits attention, however, is that the value of the export trade of the country fluctuates considerably. If the years since the armistice are taken, the records show that in 1919 the exports were valued at £53,970,075; in 1920 at £46,441,946; in 1921, at £44,828,827 and in 1922 at £42,726,749; while last year they mounted up to a total nearly approaching that of 1919. It would be gratifying to be able to think that the total was ’ always growing. Cold statistics show that it is not so. We have been prepared for the variations that have been our experience in the past, and producers who will not have to apply, most of the proceeds of their cheques to the discharge of outstanding liabilities will do well to remember that they cannot expect high prices to continue indefinitely, even though the future may hold out the promise of an extension of their markets. Fortunately for herself, New Zealand does not, in the homely phrase, carry all her eggs in one basket. If dairy produce should go down wool may go up, as has happened this year, and the demand for frozen meat* remains satisfactory at remunerative prices.

COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES. While the British public is probably not much interested in Mr Bernard Shaw as an exponent of Socialism, having found little encouragement in his manner to take him seriously as a practical reformer, it will doubtless enjoy and applaud his berating of the Russian Communists of the Third International through the medium of his letter—not unsolicited—to the Moscow “Izvestia.” The distinguished dramatist, of course, finds the comrades of the Third International, who hope to introduce the era of the domination of the proletariat throughout the world, fair game for ridicule. And the home-truths which he utters for their benefit, and for that of the Moscow Soviet, lose none of their force because of the platform from which they are ostensibly delivered. The Soviet is told, not for the first time, that it will do well to dissociate itself from the Third International. M. Zinovieff is to be informed that he must choose definitely between serious statesmanship and kinematographic schoolboy nonsense. The bourgeois idealism and childish inexperience of the men and affairs revealed in the constitution of the Third International have given a serious shock, writes Mr Shaw, to the friends of the Soviet in England. That may well be, for the connection between the Soviet and the Third International is a very close one. Mr Shaw has probably been shocked himself. From the viewpoint of English Socialists, he continues, the members of the Third International do not know the beginning of their business, but are in the dark ages in their ignorance of modern Socialism, their faith in Karl Marx, and their adherence to the tenets of revolutionaries of two or three generations ago. Yet this “handful of Russian novices” proposes to issue orders to the world! Such presumption is more than Mr Shaw can stomach, as his countrymen will note with satisfaction, though they will not understand why he should speak of the famous or rather infamous Zinovieff letter as a forgery, seeing that the evidence has rather pointed the other way, or follow his peculiar reasoning in stating that “this inopportune literary romancing which it suits our governing classes to pretend to take seriously” has had the effect of wrecking the British elections in the interests of capitalists, thereby making the Sudan a present to the British Empire

and the Nile a present to the Sudani Plantations Syndicate. If only on account of the sting embodied in the tail of this epistle for the benefit of the political opponents of the Socialist Party ~ the Daily Herald would quite appreciate its exclusive receipt of a copy of Mr * Shaw’s letter to the Moscow journal. It is not to foe supposed that M. Zinovieff and his colleagues will profit much by the advice therein tendered. They are apparently confirmed in their folly and as energetic, unfortunately, in their endeavours to strengthen the revolutionary movement, as they are crude in their schemes and tenacious of their misguided beliefs. An illus* tration irt point is provided at the moment in France, where the authorities have been forced to institute salutary measures as a reprisal for Communistic activities of a particularly bold and sinister complexion. The Paris newspapers have published details of alleged Communist revolutionary plots. Perhaps the tale will lose nothing in the telling. But the fact remains that there has been a big round-up by the police of Communists in Paris and other centres as an outcome of which an expulsion order has been issued against a large number of The Paris correspondent of The Times observes; “The growing strength of the Communist movement is alarming all moderate Frenchmen,” and M. He mot has announced in the Chamber of Deputies the determination of the Government to fight the Communist evil. That these happenshould have followed hard upon the installation of M. Krassin at the Soviet Embassy at Paris is scarcely of good omen for the success of the new relations -so recently established between the French Government and the Government at Moscow. The action which M. Hemet’s Government has found it necessary to take to check Communist activities will increase the satisfaction felt in Great Britain that a Conservative Government is now in power which is not at all disposed to make rash concessions to Russia. Keeping company as it does with that sinister organisation, the Third International, , the supreme objective of which is to spread Communist propaganda and incite revolution in other lands, the Soviet Government is asking for confidence abroad in circumstances altogether too dubious.

The postal authorities advise that a large quantity of oversea -mail matter is expected to* reach Dunedin this afternoon by the express from the north. The mail will comprise 24 bags and 22 parcel receptacles ex the Tahiti, from Sydney, and 67 bags of English and Australian letters and second-class matter, also seven parcel receptacles, ex the Moeraki. Ten hags of English, American, and Canadian letters, cx the Niagara, at Auckland, are expected to come to band on Wednesday evening. The remainder of the Niagara’s mail, consisting of 54 bags of newspapers and parcels, should arrive there on Thursday or Friday. The Ulimaroa, which is due at Wellington to-morrow morning from Sydney, is bringing an Australian mail. The Dunedin portion, consisting of nine bags and one parcel receptable, should arrive on Thursday afternoon.

There is no doubt that business for some reason or reasons not apparent has_ been unusually quiet for some time past, and many have been wondering how the Christmas trade is going to turn out] Inquiries made in several quarters yesterday from those in a position to know lead to the conclusion that there is little if any cause for complaint about Christmas prospects. It is generally agreed that the winter and spring seasons have been slack, but that a steady improvement has been noticeable of late. One firm doing 'a large mail order business says it is going to be well ahead of last year’s total. A manufacturer who does both wholesale end retail business says he does not expect to do as well as he did last year, but that a marked improvement in orders set in last week. Another who is in touch with most of the big business men of Dunedin said he had heard no complaints at all, and he believed that generally speaking the prospects for Christmas trade were distinctly good. Another prominent leader in the world of commerce drew attention to the solid cash character of - business about Dunedin, and effectively contrasted it with the more showy but comparatively unsound , nature of business in the northern centres. Altogether thero seeing every reason for traders to look forward to the Christmas season, here with confidence and optimism. /

A large contingent of new arrivals from England reached Auckland on Sunday afternoon by the steamer Ruapehu, from Liverpool. Those hooked for southern centres left Auckland by the Main Trunk express last' evening. The Otago and Southland quotas will cross Cook Strait by to-night’s ferry steamer, and will reach Dunedin by the north express to-morrow afternoon.

Special travelling facilities were provided for the Prince o* Wales on the occasion ot his recent visit to Canada. He reached New York by the Atlantic liner Berengaria, and after spending a few days at polo, loft for his ranch in Alberta (Canada), travelling via New London, Connecticut, and the Central Vermont line ot the Canadian National Railways, thence via what is generally known as the northern route, by way of Ottawa, North Bay, and Winnipeg. The Prince’s decision to travel by this route was made after his visit to the Canadian National Railways Pavilion of the British Empire Exhibition. On that occasion he was very much taken with the description he received of the splendour of the journey. The wondrous beauty of Jasper National Park, the Canandian Rookies, and the sunlit lakes of Alberta, as portrayed on the revolving panoramic model which occupies a large space in the pavilion, also left their impression, for the Prince visited this game sanctuary, and also stopped at Jasper Park Lodge, operated by the Canadian National Railways—one of the most beautiful holiday retreats to be found, and the largest in the world. The Royal train, of standard steel equipment, included the president’s car, with bed and dining room, and observation oar, containing a drawing room and four compartments. Two sleeping cars, baggage cars, and a dining car were also attached to the train. The drawing room was fitted with an up-to-date wireless set, such, as is installed on all principal Canadian National trams, and the Prince and his party were able to Hsten-in throughout the journey, and to hear news items and concert selections transmitted from the Canadian Nation Montreal broadcasting station. On the journey from Montreal the train was drawn by one of the “6000” type engines, the world’s largest passenger locomotive, a giant of the railroad, which can draw an all-steel train of 1500 tons at an average speed of 75 miles per hour, on the level. The question of the bad state of the North road will bo introduced by Mr A. E. Ansell (president of the Otago Motor Club) nt the monthly meeting of the club to bh held to-night. The North road has had an unenviable reputation for pot holes for acme years now and members of the club will be afforded an opportunity of bringing forward suggestions regarding possible improvements and the ways and means of effecting these. The Otago Hospital Board has received, amongst .other applications fdr the position of .matron of the Dunedin Hospital, one from America, A man was arrested in the city by Detective Farquharson yesterday on . a charge of receiving money on account of his employer and converting it to his own use. He will appear before the court this morning. ‘

At last night’s meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough Council, the Mayor (Mr J. Watson) referred to the sad news of Captain Larsen’s death. The council resolved to send a letter of condolence to Mrs Larson, who has been residing at Port Chalmers since the whaling fleet left for the Antarctic.

Mt H. E. Barowclough stated at the Supremo Court yesterday morning that the Kaituna Lawn Tenuis Club had recently received notice from the Kaituna Bowling Club and Lawn Tennis Club Company to quit its courts. Ho said that his clients, the Lawn Tennis Club, alleged that the notice to quit was not valid, and they were asking the court for an injunction to prevent the club being dispossessed He proposed to'move immediately for the injunction, so that the Lawn Tennis Club could go on using the ground until the case to upset the action of the Bowling Club could be heard. His Honor (Mr Justice Sim) said that when the proceedings had been started Mr Barrowclough could make application to have the injunction dealt with. Mr Barrowclough stated that the papers had boon filed in the court that morning. It appears that the Lawn 'tennis Club’s lease of the courts expired recently, and negotiations have been proceeding for some time with a view to having a rcnowel arranged. Ihe Bowling Club forwarded a draft lease, setting out the terms on which it was prepared to grant a renewal. Those terms did not at first meet with the approval of the Lawn Tennis Club, but it finally wrote accepting them. When acceptin'- the terms the Lawn Tennis Club forwarded a resolution describing as “harsh and unjustifiable” the Bowling Committee’s action “in restricting the privileges and refusing the Lawn Tennis Club Committee an opportunity of presenting its case at the general meeting of the Bowling Club.” The Bo\vling Club Committee strongly objected to the tone of tho resolution and declined to complete the lease unless the resolution wore withdrawn by the club. After a conference between the committees the Lawn Tennis Committee wrote withdraw, ing “harsh and unjustifiable”—the words specially objected to—substituting the word “inequitable,” and enclosing cheque for six months’ rent to March 1, 1925., The Bowling Club adhered to its original de cision that tho whole resolution must be withdrawn, or the Lawn Tennis Club must vacate the premises on December 31, 1924. The proceedings now before the court aro to get an authoritative decision as to tho legality of the Bowling Club’s notice to quit. The main action will not come on until the February sittings. As stated, the injunction being applied for immediately is to restrain tho Bowling Club from preventing tho Lawn Tennis Club using the courts in tho meantime. One of tho clauses in tho conditions of the lease which has brought about tho present trouble is that prohibiting the playing of lawn tennis on the courts on Sundays. Some of tho members of tho Tonnis Club wish to use the courts on Sundays, but the Bowling Club is averse to Sunday play. Tho Tennis Club eventually agreed to tho prohibition, thus eliminating that question from the dispute.

Visitors to Tongariro National Pari:, wfyo have arranged to camp at the Whakapapa Huts during the coming holidays, will bo assured of a good deal more comfort than was the case in the pioneering stages of development at this wonderful resort (states the New Zealand Herald). There are now three huts at Whakapapa, one of which is reserved for women. The latest additions to the camp are two bathrooms, the lack of which has long been felt by campers. The bathrooms, one for men and one for women, have been equipped with chip heaters, porcelain baths and hand basins, and a plentiful supply of water has been laid on. Another improvement to the park is the formation of the Bruce road, leading from tho Main road to the Haunted Whare. A gang of men from the prison camp at Erua is now at work on tho road, which it is expected will bo open for motor traffic as far as the Haunted Wharo by Christmas. Arrangements are now being made by the Board of Control for the re-eroction of the footbridge below the Tawhai Falls, which was swept away by floods in the early part of tho year. There has been a keen demand for accommodation at the park, and within a few weeks the various huts and - the canvas camps at Whakapapa will be full of holiday-makers. The Council of tho Chamber of Commerce had before it last night a letter from tho Collector of Customs asking for an expression of opinion as to tho most suitable site for a new Customhouse. It should, he said, be conveniently situated to all doing Customs business, not further from wharves and warehouses than tho old Customhouse, and as near as possible to the Bank of New Zealand. The President, Mr P. Barr, said the general opinion, so far as he could gather, wa 3 that the new Customhouse should be erected on the old site opposite the Fountain. There were others, however, who thought it should 'be clown by the wharf near the site of the Sailors’ Rest. Mr H. C. Campbell said tho leas© of the present Customhouse premises was shortly falling due. He did not think proximity to the bank was of great importance. Having regard to future shipping developments by the Southern Endowment, he thought that Crawford street, now so well paved, would bo very central and suitable. Further consideration was deferred to tho general meeting of members held later in the evening. , In placing the matter before the general meeting tho chairman said the weight of opinion seemed to 'bo in favour of the site opposite Cargill’s Monument. Mr H. L. Tapley asked it there was room on the present Customhouse site for developments for the next 20 or 30 or, say, 60 years. Mr W. E. Reynolds expressed the view that if the Government was build ing on such a valuable site as the old post office it should build not less than seven stories. Tho Customhouse might be on the ground floor. Mr Somerville said it would be well to refer the matter to the council for its consideration, and he moved in that direction. Mr Campbell said undoubtedly tho finest site for the block of Government buildings would be the old post office block, with Neill and Co.’s block added and Bond street closed or tunnelled. Mr G. L. Denniston expressed the view that the present Customhouse was a disgrace to Dunedin, and said he trusted the Government would not entertain tho idea of renewing the lease for another five years. Ho believed that the old Customhouse site was tho most suitable in Dunedin.—(“Hear, hear.”) Tho Chairman said the council would consider tho matter, and in putting forward its recommendation it would again remind tho Government of the shocking waste cf money involved in having its departments housed in so many different rented buildings. The entries for the Summer Show of the Dunedin Horticultural Society, which is to he hold in tho Ant Gallery Hall qn Wednesday afternoon and evening, closed last evening. On account of the earliness of the season and the heavy rain on Sunday, tho entries in tho rose section are not so numerous as they were last year, but this is compensated for by larger entries in tho other sections, especially in cut flowers and decorative work, and tho result should bo a most creditable show.

Chang, a member of the Chinese Association football team which toured New Zealand in August last, and who was compelled to enter a Christchurch hospital to undergo two serious operations, has recovered, In a letter to a friend in uunedin Chang says that no» ♦Aat ‘‘ho has become well enough to write, he does not hesitate an instant to return his sincere thanks to his friend and his family for the kind treatment rttccived during his illness.” “I hope,” Chang adds, ‘‘that it, will be in my power some day to repay this great kindness, and I shall always re member it with feelings of' the deepest gratitude.” Chang will leave New Zealand this week for Sydney, cn route to his homo in China.

Christmas Gifts. Household electric equipment should bo up-to-date for satisfaction’s sake. Call and see the newlyirnportecl appliances at the Barth Electric Supplies, 61 Princes street. —Advt.

A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist. Bank of Australasia, comer of Bond and Rattray streets Inert Telegraph Office). Telephone 1839. Advt.

Christmas Jewellery. Compare our values. Choice selection diamond rings, watches, brooches, bracelets, pendants, and silverware. —Peter Dick, Jewellers, etc., 490 iloray place.—Advt.