WAR AND TRADE

Southland Times, Issue 17913, 19 April 1917, Page 5

WAR AND TRADE

NEW ZEALAND’S PRODUCING) CAPACITY AFFECTED. ECONOMY NOW ESSENTIAL. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April I*. The annual report of the Wellingtoe Chamber of Commerce says:—ln Wellington the prosperous state of the export trade has been reflected on our internal trade. All articles of import show a considerable advance in price, and importers have had to exercise extreme care in purchasing. There is a distinct disinclination against overstocking. Prices in the retail trade naturally hardened perceptibly, but business is reported to be good, notwithstanding that many well-known articles are in short supply, while in other cases stocks of articles of British manufacture have had to be replaced by article* purchased elsewhere. Most of the local industries continue busily engaged fulfilling contracts for Defence supplies. The time is now very near when the community and individuals will ba bound to economise. New Zealand is occupying a dual capacity in this war, each month sending reinforcements and assisting in supplying foodstuffs and essential war materials. If the war is much further prolonged, and the Dominion continues to send its quota, it is inevitable that there will be a serious falling off in our producing capacity. New Zealand is far removed from the seat of war, and its war prosperity has deferred the organisation of its resources. The large increase in the importation of motor cars made in the United States or Canada by companies controlled by American money is referred to. Imports (general) from the United States during 1915 were valued at £2,5G2,52V, of which £1,629,003 was the value of goods admitted duty free.