H.—44

The values of the principal items exported to the United States in 1933 are shown below in comparison with the figures for the previous four years : —

As will be seen from the table, the value of our exports in 1933 in hides and skins, wool, sausagecasings, and kauri-gum have shown substantial advances over the preceding year. These gains must be considered very satisfactory to New Zealand when they have been won in the face of severe competition and at a time when the United States is still adopting a policy of economic nationalism The most important item in our inrports from the United States in 1933 was again motor-spirit and other mineral oils, which item was valued at £919,472, in comparison with £1,480,545 in 1932. The New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Canada has continued to maintain contact with leading importers in the United States who are interested in handling our products, and particular attention has been given to the eastern seaboard ports, where agencies for most of the principal New Zealand export products are already established. With the lifting of the embargo against New Zealand fruit by the United States there are prospects of our exports in apples and pears reaching such proportions that this new market will be of considerable value to New Zealand. Trade with the British West Indies. Acting under instructions, the New Zealand Trade and Tourist Commissioner in Canada and the United States of America (Mr. J. W. Collins) recently visited the British West Indies with the object of gaining a first-hand knowledge of the present and potential market for New Zealand products in that territory. His official report was adopted and issued m the form of Bulletin No. 27, which was broadcast throughout the Dominion to all those persons, firms, and organizations who were likely to be interested or to become interested in the development of these comparatively new markets. The Commissioner visited Jamaica, Bermuda, and the Bahamas, and also submitted a report upon the trade prospects in Barbados, although he did not actually visit this last-mentioned territory. A very thorough examination was made of the possible outlets for our products, together with an investigation of relative facilities in respect to shipping, freight rates, Customs duties, cold storage, methods of wholesale and retail distribution, advertising, &c. In the three territories visited particular attention was paid to the established requirements of the market, and interviews were arranged with all wholesale houses and other establishments likely to be interested in handling New Zealand products. The names of these traders, together with a list of the commodities coming within the scope of their trade, have been referred direct to all exporters in the Dominion who handle the particular commodity concerned. During the past two years New Zealand, mainly through the institution of a direct freight service, has dominated the butter market in Jamaica. In practically all other lines the competitive-price element, owing to recessions in world commodity prices generally, is so prominent that some difficulty is being experienced in successfully marketing many of our products which are comparable in quality to those now consumed in the British West Indies. The Commissioner's visit, however, has definitely proved that the present and future trade prospects are more than favourable to us, particularly when these British colonies are bound to us by ties of Empire and practically the whole of the marketing organization lies in the hands of reputable houses whose business operations are carried on in accordance with the best British traditions and whose integrity is therefore unquestioned. i The question of reciprocal trade with the British West Indies was stressed by the Commissioner in the course of his visit, and the continuation of the present good will which exists between New Zealand and the British West Indies cannot but result in an increase in mutual trading benefits. In addition to the development of the market for our dairy products, the prospects appear favourable for further trade in fresh and canned fruits, canned vegetables, meats and fish, preserved milks, barrelled and salted beef and pork, and fresh frozen meats and various other products of lesser importance. It now remains for individual exporting interests to take advantage of the contacts that have been made for them and by enterprise and initiative develop the trading opportunities thus made available.

8

1929. 1930. 1931. 1932. 1933. £ £ £ £ £ Hides, pelts, and skins (calf, 1,649,539 1,055,652 438,862 282,496 713,490 cattle, rabbit, sheep) Sausage casings and skins .. 262,559 331,627 151,592 99,674 170,019 Wool .. .. .. 656,656 267,720 41,278 32,044 88,923 Phormium tenax .. .. 138,776 83,255 4,115 1,768 756 Kauri-gum .. .. .. 129,432 69,496 36,520 14,498 28,591 Frozen meat .. 338,385 16,020 1,261 316 1,179 Seeds .. .. .. 76,615 66,905 58,202 28,953 22,066 Tallow .. .. .. 23,086 9,505 2,445 2,049 1,327