TRADE ACTIVITY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 251, 22 October 1937, Page 11

TRADE ACTIVITY

Trend In August The normal seasonal decline in business statistics expected around the month of August was not evident this year to any marked extent, according to the review published in the current issue of the Abstract of Statistics. Several indexes showed increases as compared with recent months. Imports of merchandise during August at £6,008,286 were on the highest level lor over 16 year)-, while exports at £4,457,611, although showing a decrease as compared with July, were nevertheless well up for the time of the year. As compared with the July total ot imports the August figures showed an increase of 24 per cent., while a comparison with August of £1936 shows an increase of ,0.3 per cent. Exports for the month showed the usual seasonal decline, but in comparison with August, 1936, were 41.5 per cent, higher in value.

The increase in imports between July and August, 1937, was spread fairly evenly over the principal items, although the imports ot motor vehicles increased from 3073 valued at £507,128 in July to 4455 valued at -724,992 in August. For the eight months ended August, 1937, a total of 24,805 motor vehicles was imported, as compared with 20,711 for the same period of 1936. Other items record.ng large increases between July and August, 1937, were mineral oils and apparel.

Banking statistics revealed that financial transactions were operating on a much higher level than in recent years, while statistics of net banknote circulation gave evidence of increased -.pending power, Totalisator investments were well up. In fact during the elapsed eight months of 1937 the investment total nas reached £4,245,327, the highest since 1930. Unemployment statistics showed a seasonal increase. As compared with last year, however, a marked reduction was shown in the number of unemployed males dependent upon the funds of the Employment Promotion Account.

Permits issued in the larger towns for the erection of dwelling houses showed a decided increase, although .he number of Government buildings mostly dwellings, included in the August total was four less than in July.

The weather during the month favoured the general health and condition of stock. Crops and pastures oenefited by the weather, and conditions were favourable for lambing