H.—44,

Trade with the Continent of Europe. The table following sets out the trade with European countries, other than the United Kingdom, for each of the past three years, according to New Zealand statistics, imports being given according to country of origin : —

The most noticeable feature brought out by the table is the marked rise of almost £1,500,000 in the total of our exports, seven of the countries listed contributing to this increase. Italy and Spain, due to internal unrest, and in the case of the former country the imposition of sanctions, absorbed considerably less of our products during the period than had been the case in previous years. Imports from European countries again showed an increase, there being only two of these mentioned —namely, Italy and France —which did not participate in the general improvement. The most noteworthy increases apparent from the table were in the products of Germany, BelgiumLuxemburg Union, and Sweden. In considering New Zealand's trade with the Continent it must not be forgotten that, owing to the lack of direct shipping services, a considerable proportion, estimated in 1935 at £3,885,986 sterling, of the produce is consigned to the United Kingdom and then re-exported. A small percentage of this amount is forwarded to countries other than Europe, particularly North America. The direct exports to the countries listed in the foregoing table are shown hereunder, and it is pextinent to remark that the greatest increase over exports in 1935 is shown in the case of wool. Other marked increases occur in casein, tallow, rabbit-skins, and fish, while the only decreases are in calf-skins and sausage-casings.

Direct Exports to European Countries listed above.

16

1934. 1935. 1936. Exports to— £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) Germany 944,310 165,304 272,481 France .. .. .. .. .. 1,228,699 484,610 1,646,168 Belgium-Luxemburg Union .. .. 612,646 647,212 618,356 Italy .. .. .. .. ■■ 205,673 21,092 1,767 Netherlands 165,074 79,615 112,539 Switzerland .. .. .. •• 699 2,892 1,360 Sweden 117,529 47,142 64,936 Norway .. .. ■. • ■ • ■ 4,098 569 656 Poland .. .. .. .. 133,234 103,321 173,159 Czechoslovakia .. .. .. . • 1,986 12,969 20,064 Denmark 22,092 12,098 11,219 Finland 5,278 9,977 1,212 Spain .. .. .. .. 20,696 24,283 15,158 Other European countries .. .. .. 2,739 13,750 73,340 Totals .. .. .. .. 3,464,753 1,624,834 3,012,415 Imports from — Germany .. .. .. .. 482,644 534,674 748,374 France .. .. .. .. .. 240,813 222,049 215,115 Belgium-Luxemburg Union .. .. 137,139 217,513 409,102 Italy .. .. •• 192,342 225,157 45,279 Netherlands 139,611 161,480 210,397 Switzerland ... .. .. 91,283 97,208 140,776 Sweden .. .. .. .. 234,314 285,792 343,985 Norway .. .. .. .. 58,116 64,918 72,041 Poland .. .. .. .. 11,905 5,596 8,607 Czechoslovakia .. .. .. •• 79,892 120,590 142,215 Denmark 17,427 16,600 17,822 Russia 70,118 169,756 192,080 Finland 21,804 31,694 46,608 Spain .. .. .. 58,617 63,054 70,511 Other European countries .. .. .. 67,735 63,507 85,551 Totals .. .. .. .. 1,903,760 2,279,588 2,748,463

Commodity. Value. Commodity. Value. £(N.Z.) £(N.Z.) Wool .. .. 2,513,943 Seeds, grass and clover .. 7,648 Sheep-skins, with wool .. .. 78,847 Casein .. .. .. 8,148 Pelts .. .. 72,630 Tallow .. .. .. 16,928 Cattle-skins .. .. .. 112,299 Rabbit-skins .. .. 11,431 Calf-skins .. . . . • 46,343 Sausage-casings .. .. 320 Apples .. .. •• 32,613 Fish .. .. .. 3,704 Kauri-gum .. .. .. 14,322