5

H.—44,

The table which follows shows for the last ten years the deposits and advances as at the 31st March in each year : —•

These figures are illustrated by the graphs which follow. The first diagram represents bank deposits less advances in each of the ten years 1921-1930, an excess of deposits in any particular year being shown above the zero line, and an excess of advances below the line. The second diagram depicts the actual figures of deposits and advances for the same ten years.

An analysis of the figures of deposits shows that fixed deposits have continued to expand during the past year, and that deposits on current account have fallen steadily. As compared with the figures for 1926 fixed deposits have increased by almost £10,000,000. The exceptionally high proportion that fixed deposits bear to total deposits clearly indicates that confidence in business conditions in New Zealand is not yet restored, and that there are large resources of capital available locally for investment. The actual figures of the two classes of deposits are exhibited below.

Excess of As at 31st March, Deposits. | Advances. i Deposits. Advances. £ £ | £ £ 1921 .. .. .. .. 47,155,731 52,446,341 j .. 5,290,610 1922 .. .. .. .. 40,360,390 46,491,316 .. 6,130,926 1923 .. .. .. .. 43,465,816 42,521,571 944,245 1924- .. .. .. .. 47,033,292 44,403,524 2,629,768 1925 .. .. .. .. 49,897,228 43,730,262 6,166,966 1926 .. .. .. .. 47,302,480 48,285,140 .. 982,660 1927 .. .. .. .. 45,528,813 50,800,809 .. 5,271,996 1928 .. .. .. .. 49,958,295 46,070,370 3,887,925 1929 .. .. .. .. 55,345,493 46,359,742 8,985,751 1930 .. .. .. .. 54,003,241 53,676,778 326.463

As at 31st March, Free Deposits. Fixed Deposits. Total. I I £ £ £ 1926 .. .. .. 26,865,851 20,436,629 47,302,480 1927 .. .. .. 24,440,778 21,088,034 45,528,812 1928 .. .. .. 24,482,151 25,476,144 49,958,295 1929 .. .. .. 25,736,743 29,608,752 55,345,495 1930 .. .. .. 23,905,822 , 30,097,419 54,003,241