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the level of 1935-36. The volume of factory production shows an increase of 50 per cent, over 1938-39 and is nearly double that of 1935-36. The volume of farm production is 13 per cent, in excess of 1938-39. The quantity of butter produced in 1947-48 was 151,000 tons. The weight of wool in the 1948 production year was nearly 19 per cent, higher than in 1936. The volume of meat products though slightly lower than in 1947, was considerably higher than that of pre-war yearsLater figures, provisionally estimated, promise even bet'ter results for the production year 1948-49. Butter production was approximately 166,000 tons; cheese, approximately 98,000 tons, and canned milk products, 35,000 tons. It will be seen from Table No. 14 published with this Statement that electric-power production has more than doubled since the year ended 31st March, 1936. This has been a substantial element in raising factory production by 50 per cent, since 1938-39. Statistics of internal transport reflect the increases shown by other statistical series. The net ton-miles run on the railways reached a record total of 971 million ton-miles in the financial year just closed — an increase of 69 per cent, above the 1938-39 total and 119 per cent, above the 1935-36 figure. Motor-vehicles licensed at 30th June, 1949, reached a record total of 392,386. A particularly pleasing aspect of recent statistics has been the continued increase in timber production, which reached a new record total of 480 million board feet in the March year, 1949, an increase of 11 per cent, above the 1948 total, 52 per cent, above the 1939 figure, and more than three times the footage in 1932. This has permitted gratifying developments in the sphere of housing. The total number of private buildings for which permits were granted (in urban areas), for the year ended 31st March, 1949, was 11,102, compared with 8,093 in 1938-39, or 4,140 in the year ended 31st March, 1936. Of the total of -11,102 —which would approximate 16,000 if rural buildings were added—the number of dwellings of which construction was commenced by the Government in the year ended March, 1949, was 4,530. These records indicate the fruitful results that can be achieved by the harmonious co-operation of State and private interests.

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