OUR IMPORT TRADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2884, 30 June 1909, Page 89

OUR IMPORT TRADE.

SOME NOTABLE SHRINKAGES. j Some interesting features of the rise ■ and fall of New Zealano imports arc ;. discovered by the New Zealand Trade ( Review, published last week. Tie imports for --the 12 months enaed March 31 showed a falling-off of fully 6^ per cent. In candles there is shown to have been a very heavy falling-off. This is' probably clue to the solid improvement in the local industry under the protection given by the tariff of 1907. Cement also shows heavy reduction. The imports of 1907-3 were especially very heavy owing to the temporary cessation of the cement works at Auckland. Possibly there has been also some diminution in the prosecution of works of a class needing cement. The movements in (he dried fruits are remarkable. Currants and raisins show a heavy falling-off, which is, however, veiy nearly counterbalanced by the big increase in "other dried fruits." When the duty of one penny per pound was removed from currants and raisins, the duty of twopence upon other dried fruits was retained. By the last tariff, howe_ver,' this .was repealed m respect- of. -figs, dates, and prunes. ! This was followed by a great run upon these fruits.- Raieins imported in-' 1907*8 amounted to 3.Q48-,639 - lb, and in 1903-9 to 2,874j20:Ub; currants were imported' in the former year to the S extent of 3,029,4491b, falling, to 2,123,999 I lb last year. On the other hand, " other dried fruits " we're imported to the extent of 2.687.6831b in 1907-8, and rose to 4.434,1121b in 1908-9. It appears evident that dessert fruits such as figs and dates i'ound their way into puddings, dislodging the sultana and the currant. In both tobacco and cigarettes there is shown a curious decrease in the agfregate, which must be due to some accient, as there is not the least indication of diminution in the consumption. The Customs clearances for the N same period showed an ordinary rate of increase in both. The movements vary at ,the several ports. With regard •to clofihins; goods, the five lines of this class all show a fallingoff, in some cases very heavy. With occasional exceptions, decrease is seen at each port in each line. Warehouses generally had become over-stocked' and reduction was necessary. Pianos, notwithstanding dull ' times, show increase in the aggregate and in three ports out of four. The four lines of the iron imports class show in each case a falling off in the "aggregates, but the" movements are not uniform at the several ports. Auckland ~§hows-a heavy falling-off Jn bar, bolt, and rod. but a heavy -increase~in~f e*nctng~ 'K'«=e? s = j Kerosene shows a heavy increase, but this is rather a consignment than an imP ort - "-""', '. Rice, salt, and tea show a slight increase in the aggregate ; the movements -vary, however, in some cases in the several ports. " It is stated that during last month and this month about 300 men, mostly young, have left Timaru for Australia. These men are members of large parties who work year in and year dut in Australia and New .Zealand. A strange accident happened at the residence of a, settler (Mr J. Wouldes) at Kiritehere, near the Thames, Auckland. His eight-year-old son had found a "' detonator on the- 1 road, and, taking his younger brother and sister to see the '■'fun,"- placed the cap on the flame of a lighted candle. The l^esult-was a violent cxplcsion. The youthful experimenter was bady knocked sJbout ; his face was injured below the eyes, tl*9 tops of two fingers were blown off, and lie, received numerous wounds on '•'he body and hands. His two companions wore also injured.