H.—44,

COOK AND NIUE ISLANDS. The export and import trade with the Cook and Niue Islands shows a further advance during the period under review, and it is pleasing to note that in the case of Niue Island exports at £22,992 constitute a record. Total exports from the Islands, valued at £90,548, show an increase of 40 per cent., and total imports, at £97,238, an increase of 26 per cent, over 1935 figures. Total trade of the Islands is shown in the table hereunder for the last five years : —

Total Trade, Cook and Niue Islands.

The distribution of the trade is shown in the following table, from which it will be noted that New Zealand's share in the total trade is £152,290, or 81 per cent. The United Kingdom, United States of America, and Australia come next in importance in that order.

Direction of Trade of Cook and Niue Islands, 1936.

The principal exports from the Lower Group of the Cook Islands are oranges, bananas, tomatoes, and copra ; from the Northern Group copra and pearl shell, and from Niue copra and bananas. TONGA. The table given hereunder shows the values of New Zealand's exports to and imports from Tonga, in each of the past five calendar years : —

Total Trade with Tonga.

A further rise in the exports from New Zealand to Tonga took place in 1936, the increase being 42-5 per cent, over 1935 figures. On the other hand, imports which had been increasing steadily over the past few years receded "by £3,904, or 25 per cent, over 1935. The principal imports from Tonga were bananas, £10,645 (£14,079) and potatoes, £374 (£650). Exports included meats, salted and tinned, £10,248 (£8,346); refined sugar, £3,107 (£1,761); timber, £2,063 (£1,340); butter, £2,014 (£790).

15

Exports. Imports. Year ended 31st December, : Cook Islands. Niue Islands. Total. Cook Islands. Niue Islands. Total. £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) 1932 .. .. 73,409 13,987 87,396 63,585 14,756 78,341 1933 .. .. 73,983 11,542 85,525 76,716 13,123 89,839 1934 .. .. 59,307 12,341 71,648 61,449 13,372 74,821 1935 .. .. 53,599 12,076 65,675 61,676 15,288 76,964 1936 .. .. 67,556 22,992 90,548 72,576 24,662 97,238

Exports. Imports. Country. From Cook From Niue rr + „i Into Cook Into Niue T ,, Islands. Islands. Lota1, Islands. Islands. iota1 ' £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) NewZealand .. .. 60,182 15,915 76,097 53,913 22,280 76,193 United Kingdom .. .. 3,509 .. 3,509 6,196 609 6,805 Australia .. .. 5,519 649 6,168 United States of America .. 3,861 .. 3,861 4,176 50 4,226 Japan .. .. 1,050 238 1,288 Canada .. .. .. .. ■• •■ 665 39 704 Western Samoa .. .. .. 5,152 5,152 .. 769 769 Mexico 1,925 1,925 Other countries " .. . . 4 . . 4 1,057 28 1,085 Totals .. .. 67,556 22,992 90,548 72,576 24,662 97,238

Year ended 31st Deceember, Exports to Tonga. Imports from Tonga. £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) 1932 27,266 9,412 1933 .. .. .. .. 19,407 8,331 1934 .. .. •• 12,948 13,282 1935 .. .. .. •• 19,104 15,200 1936 .. .. .. •• 27,215 11,296