BUSINESS RETURNS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 383, 15 March 1937, Page 3

BUSINESS RETURNS.

Comparative Values of Recent Statistics. According to the Abstract of Statistics issued for January, most of the indexes illustrative of business activity in New Zealand showed increases for the month as compared with the corresponding month of 1936. ■ Unemployment, as indicated by the Labour Department’s totals of men wholly or partly dependent on the Employment Promotion Fund, shows an improved position, the total as at January 16 being 37,820, as compared with 39,072 in December and 56,502 in January of last year. Recent reports indicate that placements in employment made by the State Placement i Service average out at just over 1,000 per week.

The month of January proved to be a very busy month in respect of external trade, the improved wool prices being reflected in an increase of 72.9 per cent, in the value of wool exported as compared with the previous January. The increased use of the roads and the improved financial position are evident from the large increase in the value of imports of motor-vehicles. Both exports and imports record totals higher than in any January month for some years past. Statistics of exports of butter and cheese during the six months ended January indicate that butterfat production is on a higher level than was the case last season. Prices of butter and cheese on the London market were steady during the earlier months of the season, but have recently shown a decline.

Although latterly showing a slight recession from the high, levels ruling earlier in the season, wool prices are being maintained well above the level of 1935-36. A report covering sales held up to the end of January, 1937, shows that 301,222 bales have been sold this season, as compared with 307,575 bales for a similar portion of 1935-36.

Internal business activity as revealed by other statistical indicators shows the seasonal drop from the level of the previous month, but, in most cases, definite increases as compared. with January of last year. The value of bank debits is a record for a January month, as are also the figures for deposits on current account and next note-circulation. The figure of sales-tax receipts (£294,431) is the highest monthly total yet recorded, being £61,328 (26.3 per cent.) above the total for January of last year. Totalisator investments amounted to £874,037, the highest total for any individual month since April, 1930, and an increase of £208,964', or 31.4 per cent., as compared with January of last year. Weather conditions during January were veery changeable, farming operations being hampered on that account. Heavy growth of pastures was experienced, providing ample food for stock and maintaining a high milk yield from dairy cows.