H.—44.

The values of the main items of export in 1926, as compared with 1925, were—

The reduced return from our exports is due mainly to lower prices, but when we compare quantities the position is more satisfactory. The following table shows the quantities of the principal items of export during the years ended 31st December, 1925 and 1926 : —

As to imports, the value during the calendar year 1926, as compared with the previous year, decreased by £2,566,844. The following table shows the value of the principal items of imports during the years ended 31st December, 1925 and 1926 :—

3

1 I I Item. 1925. j 1926. Increase. j Decrease. i | ~ £ £ £ £ Butter .. .. .. 10,240,132 8,695,197 .. 1,544,935 Cheese .. .. .. 5,800,808 5,939,359 138,551 Beef (frozen) .. .. 1,043,871 511,996 .. 531,875 Lamb (frozen) .. .. 6,761,890 5,593,463 .. 1,168,427 Mutton (frozen) .. .. 3,069,763 2,122,099 .. 947,664 Hides and calf-skins .. .. 940,140 755,537 .. 184,603 Rabbit-skins .. .. 843,416 829,165 .. 14,251 Pelts .. .. .. 1,759,451 1,279,758 .. 479^693 Wool .. .. .. 17,739,736 11,830,188 .. 5,909,'548 Tallow .. .. .. 895,061 741,045 .. 154^016 Kauri-gum.. .. .. 414.901 332,765 .. 82J36 Gold .. .. .. 472,364 516,207 1 43,843 Sausage-skins .. .. 675,848 780,811 | 104,963 I

I j " : Item. | 1925. 1926. Increase. Decrease. I | £ £ £ £ Batter .. .. Cwt, 1,245,324 1,167,040 .. 78,284 Cheese .. .. „ 1,376,754 1,461,538 84,784 .! Beef (frozen) .. „ 705,751 388,701 .. 317,050 Lamb (frozen) .. „ 1,513,402 1,521,663 8,261 Mutton (frozen) .. „ 1,082,268 973,345 .. 108,923 Hides and calf-skins .. No. 1,197,564 1,200,546 2,982 Rabbit-skins .. „ 19,708,586 17,061,151 .. 2,647,435 Pelts .. .. „ 8,224,185 8,566,899 342,714 Wool .. .. Bales 596,895 631,843 34,948 Tallow .. .. Tons 25,038 " 21,128 .. 3,910 Kauri-gum .. .. ,, 5,370 4,877 .. 493 Gold .. .. Oz. 114,696 135,777 11,081 Sausage-skins .. Lb. 3,149,798 3,520,568 370,770

Item. 1925. j L926. | Increase. ( Decrease. . . £ £ £ I £ Wheat.. .. .. .. 798,090 603,195 .. 194,895 Sugar .. .. .. .. 1,250,343 1,150,592 .. 99,751 Tea .. .. .. .. ! 944,639 945,477 838 Wliisky .. .. .. 734,111 643,546 .. 90,565 Cigarettes .. .. .. j 800,927 j 772,513 j .. I 28,414 Tobacco .. .. .. 959,779 892,174 .. 67,605 Apparel, all kinds .. .. | 3,176,530 3,095,233 .. 81,297 Boots and shoes .. .. j 981.710 946,678 .. 35,032 Carpets and floor-coverings .. ; 691,189 657,054 .. 34,135 Drapery n.e.i. .. .. .. 618,225 515,233 .. 102,992 Cotton piece-goods .. .. 2,483,778 2,013,280 I .. j 470,498 Silk piece-goods .. .. .. 839,297 712,508 .. 126,789 Woollen piece-goods .. .. 879,440 813,537 .. 1 . 65,903 Petrol and kerosene .. .. 2,575,593 2,870,934 295,341 Coal .. .. .. .. 682,511 693,870 11,359 I Hardware n.e.i. .. .. .. 1,139,752 1,149,738 9,986 Electrical equipment .. .. 2,098,299 2,082,590 .. 15,709 Timber .. .. .. 1,196,340 856,139 .. 340,201 Motor-vehicles .. .. .. 4,146,433 3,688,016 .. ! 458,417 Motor-car tires .. .. ..I 1,148,075 928,466 .. : 219 609 !