New Caledonia

Big Increase in Export Trade

r pHE main feature of the trade of New Caledonia during 1935 was a large rise in the value of exports, allowing the French Colony for the first time in several years to show a surplus of exports over imports. The increase went mainly to France, U.S.A., and Australia.

Imports rose from £872,983 in 1934 to £890,966, the United States, Japan, and Australia scoring at the expense of France, Holland and the Dutch East Indies. A new freight service between Japan and New Zealand, via Noumea, was responsible for opening a new outlet for N.Z, goods to New Caledonia, worth £1,920.

The following trade figures were cour teously supplied by Mr. N. Hagen, of Noumea. Values are in Australian cur rency, conversion being at the rate of 60 francs to the Australian £.

Miss Daisy Coltheart, who has been for some months in Tasmania on sick leave, sailed from Sydney for Salamo, Papua, for the Methodist Mission on May 9.

Formerly she was a teacher at the Methodist Mission’s Chinese and half caste school in itabaul, New Guinea.

Imports.

Exports.

Imports.

Exports.

Tons.

Value f Tons.

Value £ 1933 . . 92,651 961,833 42,388 760,566 1934 .. 114,996 872,983 49,472 777,950 1935 . . 121,922 890,966 94,492 900,450

Principal Imports

And Exports

1

N Detail.

Imports. 1933. 1934. 1935. £ £ £ France 460,150 421,566 376,400 Australia ... 299,400 284,033 296,000 French Colonies 33,333 50,830 69,920 United States . 30,350 26,180 41,350 Japan 18,633 15,266 29.900 Great Britain . 37,400 16,530 18,733 Dutch E. Indies 17,066 18,660 14,133 Exports.

France 416,200 429,500 641,183 United States . 24,500 73,265 184,700 Holland 66,300 43,730 34,800 Australia ... 9,600 10,166 14,000 J apan 8,416 13,400 6,100 New Hebrides 10,983 5,050 4,500 French Colonies 3,660 5,400 4,250

Imports

From Australia.

The following table shows the comparative value of Australian goods imported into New Caledonia during the last three years:— 1933. 1934. 1935. £ £ £ Coal 133,450 122,000 126,200 Flour 28,000 24,210 35,500 Condensed Milk . 7,250 8,000 8,600 Timber 720 4,000 7,750 Tea 6,300 7,000 6,600 Hardware 5,550 5,600 5,000 Tobacco (trade) 6,200 5,050 5,000 Oils 5,675 6,000 4,350 Tobacco, cigarettes 4,300 3,540 4,000 Potatoes 4,000 4,060 4,060 Vegetables 2,150 2,150 3,600 Beef 2,350 3,700 3,000 Woodwares ... 950 3,150 3,000 Rice 2,200 2,400 2,200 Paper 3,750 2,250 2,100 Leather 1,500 2,000 2,000 Sugar 4,000 2,350 1,700 Benzine 15,900 6,150 1,700 Salt 520 965 1,650 Machinery 2,800 3,300 2,250 Music Instruments 570 850 1,250 Leatherware ... 900 1,350 1,250 Chocolates ... 950 1,300 1,150 Household articles 2,350 3,100 1,050 Potteries 700 750 1,000 Cordage 650 1,300 1,000