A—4.

The following are the receipts under the principal headings, showing a comparison with the previous year : —

Customs Statistics. (See also graph in Appendix D.) The total value of imports for the calendar year 1927 was £304,369, as compared with £324.940 for 1926, a decrease of £20,571. The following table shows the countries whence imported, with a comparison for the previous year : — m

The import-trade decrease of £20,571 is made up as follows : Decreases from New Zealand, £3,270 ; Australia, £19,150 ; United States of America, £14,928. Increases are shown in United Kingdom, £12,525 ; Fiji, £885 ; Germany, £1,648 ; other countries, £1,719. The principal items which may be commented on are : Flour declined £3,396 (Australia) ; rice, £1,062 (Australia) ; rice, unmilled, £6,977 (Australia) ; timber, £2,473 (U.S. America) ; vehicles, including motor-vehicles and parts, £5,416 (Canada £2,000 and U.S. America £3,416) ; benzine, £3,771 (U.S. America). Increases are as follows : Drugs, £1,223 (United Kingdom) ; machinery, £2,001 (United Kingdom) ; drapery, £3,004 (United Kingdom). The exports for 1927 show an increase of £15,195 on the previous year, the figures being £335,978, as compared with £320,783 for the calendar year 1926. The increase is shown in cocoa and rubber. Copra.—The export of copra for the calendar year 1927 was 11,665 tons, valued at £242,672, as compared with 12,249 tons, valued at £275,086, for 1926. The political agitation is responsible for the shortage, as the Natives are the principal producers, and in making a very conservative estimate it is considered that about 2,000 tons have been lost through this movement. Cocoa. —The cocoa export was 792 tons, valued at £48,216, in comparison with 356 tons, valued at £20,151, for the year 1926. Good crops are reported, and it is anticipated the present year will see an increase on last year's figures. Rubber. —The export of rubber has increased considerably, the figures for 1927 showing 158 tons, valued at £24,802, as compared with 33|- tons, valued at £6,702, for the previous year. With new plantations being worked it is considered there will be a further increase in this year's output. Re-ex/ports. —These amount to £18,229, which includes £16,164 bullion, for the year 1927, as compared with £18,260, including £15,800 bullion, for the year 1926,

16

1926-27. 1927-28. j Increase, j Decrease. £ £ £ £ Import duties .. .. .. 42,991 46,855 3,864 Export duties— Copra .. .. .. JO,874 13,849 Cocoa .. .. .. .. .. 1,087 1,614 Rubber .. .. .. .. 460 1,666 Beche-de-mer . . .. . . . . .. 13 12,421 17,142 4,721 Shipping fees .. .. . 2,379 2,121 .. 258 Lease of sheds, &c. .. .. 682 1,059 377 Taxes .. .. 9,421 9,511 90 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 2,611 1,892 .. 719 Totals .. . . 70,505 78,580 9,052 977 Less .. .. .. .. .. .. 977 Net increase .. .. .. .. .. 8,075

1926. 1927. From , Value. | Percentage. Value. Percentage. £ £ United Kingdom .. .. .. 50,368 15-5 62,893 20-6 New Zealand .. .. .. .. 92,159 28-4 88,889 29-2 Australia .. .. .. .. 87,850 27-0 68,700 22-5 United States of America .. .. 66,273 204 51,345 16-8 Other countries .. .. .. .. 28,290 8-7 32,542 10-9 Total .. .. .. 324,940 100-0 304,369 100-0