1T.—44.

list of commodities and duties is published for general information. In several of the items, notably apples, casein, tinned meats, and tallow, this Dominion receives even more favourable treatment than other Empire countries," with the exception of Australia. Name of Commodity. Tariff Rate. Name of Commodity. Tariff Rate. Apples .. 10 per cent. Lard .. .. Free. Binder-twine . . Free. Fresh meat .. .. \ cent per pound. Butter .. 1 cent per pound. Onions .. .. Free. Casein . . .. 12§ per cent. Sausage-casings .. Free. Cheese .. .. Free. Seeds (agricultural) .. Free. Eggs . . .. Free. Soups and canned meat 15 per cent. Hemp . . .. Free. Tallow . . 10 per cent. Hides and skins .. Free. Wool .. .. Free. Honey .. 1 cent per pound. It is remarkable, in view of this treatment, that our trade is not more fully exploited in Canada. There are splendid prospects in this friendly sister Dominion for some of our products which are now practically neglected. A large volume of trade could be done in tinned meats, agricultural seeds, casein, onions, hemp, and tallow, but as long as New Zealand fails to supply the necessary samples and requisite trade information the buyers will purchase from other sources which give these particulars. For the past ten years the need for trade representatives in Canada has been strongly urged by the Department, and it is satisfactory to know that the matter is favourably viewed by Government and that such appointments may eventuate in the near future. Australia, which has a lesser value of trade, took this step early in the present year, and this action was most favourably commented upon in Canadian Government and business circles. In regard to imports, the values show an increase on the figures for the previous financial year as follows : 1927-28, £2,507,339 ; 1928-29, £3,808,298 —an increase of £1,300,959. The items which have principally contributed to this very large increase were motor-cars and materials for same, apparel, boots and shoes, hosiery, iron and steel tubes, wire, electrical machinery, indiarubber goods, belting, plaster-of-paris, and wrapping-paper. The following items have shown a falling-off in value : Iron and steel (unmanufactured), hardware, nails, agricultural machinery, engineers' tools, leather, timber, printing and writing paper and stationery. The balance of trade is still well in favour of the northern Dominion, but if the ratio of increase in our export trade continues on the same basis as during the last three years, and steps are taken as indicated in this section of the report, it should not be long before the balance will be equalized, or even be in favour of the Dominion. Our transport facilities are adequate and regular, our production seasons are opposite, we have the good will and respect of importers ; but we have no one, unfortunately, in Canada who is officially accredited and competent to give up-to-date commercial information and to seek for trade in commodities which we produce in ever-increasing quantities in New Zealand from year to year. Trade with the United States. In view of the interest that has been aroused and the discussion that has taken place in regard to the proposed increases in the import tariff rates of the United States, a brief survey of the extent and nature of the trade between New Zealand and that country will not be out of place. Our relations with that country have always been most friendly, and our trade for some years has reached considerable dimensions. Actually our trade with the United States ranks second in importance both as regards exports and imports, the United Kingdom, of course, occupying first place. For the three years 1926 to 1928 our exports to the United States amounted to £3,818,232, £2,681,091, and £4,260,315, which respectively represented 8-43, 5-53, and 7-58 per cent, of the total value of our exports in those years. For the same three years our imports from the United States amounted to £10,000,507, £8,077,066, and £8,203,342, which expressed as percentages represented 20-05, 18-04, and 18-28 per cent, of the whole value of our imports. Our chief exports to the United States are as follows, the figures for 1928 being given in parentheses : Hides, pelts, and skins (£1,874,226), wool (£701,730), frozen beef (£358,345), butter (£328,140), sausagecasings and skins (£272,616), kauri-gum (£141,845), Phormium fibre (£96,291), seeds (£70,087), gold (£57,941). Approximately half of the value of the imports from the United States in 1928 consisted of motorspirit and other mineral oils (£2,263,948), and motor-vehicles and materials and parts for same (£1,737,059). The remainder of the trade covers a wide range of articles, in which iron and steel goods, timber, sulphur, tobacco, fruits, cinematograph-films, &c., figure prominently. An important announcement was made early this year by one of the shipping companies—that, with a view toward improving trade facilities between New Zealand and Pacific coast ports of the United States, it intended installing refrigerating machinery in four vessels for that particular trade. By this means it was hoped to offer greater inducement for the export of frozen meat and other primary products from the Dominion. In view of the efforts which are being made by exporters in this country to open up new markets and develop existing ones by instituting additional shipping facilities and in other ways, it is to be regretted that the United States Government has proposed to raise the tariff rates. The Bill which was recently introduced provides for increases in import levies on many classes of agricultural and manufactured commodities, and for the taxing of some articles previously admitted free of duty. Advances in duties, designed to aid the farmer Und manufacturer, affect such commodities as wool, cattle, dairy-products, meats, grains, sugar, textiles, glass, paper, furniture, and clothing of all descriptions.

2—H. 44.

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