OUR EXPORTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12540, 11 May 1915, Page 3

OUR EXPORTS.

RISING VALUES

The New Zealand Trade Review .says: AYe have just obtained the particulars of our exports for the month of March, from which, with previous similar returns, we have compiled some interesting comparisons.

The total value of exports for the six months of the current season to March 31st, excluding specie, compares with previous seasons as follows: — 1915 £16,960,115 1914 13,253,669 1913 13,493,687 1912 11,568,248 1911 12,477,053 The total for the season, so far, is nearly 3J- millions ahead of the highest previous record for the corresponding period, for which wo have chiefly to thank the high prices our produce is realising. The increases in. values of separate products are indicated in the following columns to nearest millions and tenth of million:— AA r ool. Meat. Dairv. 1915 7.4 3.1 3.7' 1914 5.6 1.9 3.7 1913 5.8 1.3 3.1 1912 4.8 1.4 2.7 The three principal items account for 14J millions out of 17 millions for the six months, and account for all the increase.

In the above comparisons there is the question of the accuracy of the customs valuations to be considered. Taking all the different grades and classes into account it is somewhat difficult to arrive at a satisfactory figure. There is also to be taken into account that a proportion of this produce was sold early in the season at a lower figure than the present values. An average value of 11.12 d for wool seems to us a little low-. There has been a rising market all the season. Even at the first sales of the season this figure was reached for coarse crossbreds, and in March 14d to lod was reilised for this class of wool, while super crossbreds fetched up to 17d, and even crutchings sold at 9d to ll§d. There was a decline in prices in December, but in view of the much higher prices that have been realised in so* many cases we think the valuation somewhat low, and another penny on to this price would add nearly, £700,000 to the total value for the six months.

Again with dairy produce, in October offers of 12-Jd were refused, and in December 12Jd was offered, while London values have ranged from 126s to 148s. The lowest of these figures would net the producer over 12Jd, and the highest 14.J-d, while the Customs figure is ll|d. With cheese the London market opened at about-76s and rose to 94s by the end of March, and the 76s would mean over 64s f.o.b. We are strongly of opinion that would bo nearer the correct value for butter and wool, and 72s' for cheese, and taking the averages at these prices would add nearly 1J millions to the total.