GROWTH OF IMPORTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 11

GROWTH OF IMPORTS

MOTOR TRADE EXPANSION

SOFT GOODS SHOW INCREASE Substantial increases occurred in several important classes of imports during the year ended March 31, when, owing to the shrinkage in tho value of the Dominion’s exports a curtailment of imports would have been necessary in order to maintain the trade balance on the desired side. The value of imports was £49,167,914, an increase of £4,062,049 upon that for tho previous year and exports fell £8,108,526 to a total of £49,045,817, leaving an excess of imports of £122,097 compared with an excess of exports of £12,048,478 in 1928-29. The most notable increase in the year’s imports was associated with the motor trade, the value of motor vehicles imported increasing by £609,200 to £3,928,900, and that of motor spirit by £555,700. The amount spent on the latter was £2,201,500, while lubricating oil accounted for a further £343,300. Tyres, tubes and covers cost £1.043,300 and other parts £272,900. Totalling these items it is found that the motor industry, in 'all its branches accounted for more than one-seventh of the Dominion’s imports last year, the approximate figure being £7,790,000. This was an increase n 4 ' £1,230,500 upon the value of the same items in the previous year. The increase in last year’s imports was, however, practically an all-rou • one. Apparel and ready-made clothing which was the largest single item after motor vehicles was also prominent in the list of increases, the value having risen by £186,800 to £2,366.800. Two other classes of sof* goods showed substantial increases. Cotton piccost, £1976,900. a rise of £87,700, and silks, etc., £1,275,100, an increase of no less than £240,100. On the other hand woollen piece goods showed a decrease of £66,200 and hosiery, on which over half a million pounds is spent annually, fell £12,200.

Cigarettes were among the few items which declined in value tho decrease being £117,700, and the total value £591,800. Tobacco on which £739,900 was spent, fell to the lesser o'.xent of £23,100- The other principal declines were: Coal £124,800; bags and sacks, £77,800; sugar £65,800; and dairying machinery £43,500.