A. —6,

1937. NEW ZEALAND.

NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

REPORT ON THE NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION, 1936-37.

Finance. This is the second year in the history of Niue that no subsidy has been required from New Zealand to enable this Administration to meet its obligations, though it has been necessary to utilize a portion of the Reserve Fund to meet a deficit of £2,419. Receipts for the year, not taking into account amounts collected on behalf of N.Z.G.M.V. " Maui Pomare," amounted to £18,339, £3,434 in excess of the estimated revenue for the year and £2,930 more than the receipts for the previous year. Payments for the year, excluding transactions on account of N.Z.G-.M.V. " Maui Pomare," amounted to £20,806, which is £3,770 in excess of the original estimate of £17,336. Of this amount, £1,608 was capital expenditure and was added to the value of the assets. After taking into account stocks, capital expenditure, sundry creditors, debtors, &c., the Income and Expenditure Account, which gives the true position for the year, shows an excess of expenditure over income of £1,409. Tbade. Imports for the calendar year 1936 totalled £24,662 and exports £22,992, the corresponding figures for the year 1935 being £15,288 and £12,076. It is very gratifying to note that for the year under review the exports and imports have exceeded those of any previous year in the history of Niue, the total trade amounting to £47,654. The year 1919 shows a greater total, but this is accounted for by the fact that owing to shipping difficulties in 1918 caused by the Great War there was an accumulation of copra produced during that year but not shipped until 1919. No doubt the increased price of copra has been an important factor in the larger exports, but improved methods of plantation-management and the influences of the special agricultural activities are mainly responsible for this improvement. It must be pointed out, however, that this satisfactory result could not have been attained without the efficient service rendered to the Island by N.Z.G.M.Y. " Maui Pomare." Copra.—The increase in the price of copra acted as an incentive to the Natives to increase production, and, owing to the work performed in improving and cleaning plantations, the palms produced more nuts, which can now be found more readily. The quantity shipped this year was a record for the last seven years in copra exports, 662 tons, valued at £7,077, being shipped, as compared with 316 tons, valued at £2,031, for 1935. Bananas.—The number of cases exported for the year 1936 was the highest yet recorded for Niue, 35,701 cases, valued at £13,744, being shipped, as compared with 22,714 cases, valued at £8,620, for the year 1935. Kumeras. —Shipments of this commodity also established a record for the Island, 94 tons, valued at £1,464, being exported, whereas in 1935, 40 tons were shipped, valued at £360. There is an ever-increasing demand for these kumeras owing to their flavour and wonderful keeping-qualities. Fungus. —There is practically no demand for this commodity now, the low price obtainable practically prohibiting any exports. During the year only 3,583 lb., valued at £35, were exported, as compared with 7,593 lb., valued at £77, in 1935.