Tahiti’s Trade in 1935
p. 57 · Read in the full issue
Heavy Deficit Turned Into Good Surplus
From Our Own Correspondent PAPEETE, April 19.
THE commercial statistics of French Oceania for 1935, published in the Journal Official of March 16, disclose a total business of 50,177,000 francs, an in crease of 13,165,000 francs compared with 1934. The total merchandise handled also shows a substantial increase with 169,658 tons, being 46,698 tons more than 1934. Total importations in 1935 amounted to 24,503,000 francs, and exportations to 25,674,000 francs, thus leaving a commer cial balance in favour of the Colony of 1.171,000 francs as compared with a de ficit of 3,254,000 francs the previous year.
The principal sources of supply for in coming merchandise are shown in the following table:
Exportations, which showed an increase in value of 8,795,000 francs, and in tonn age of 51,243, over the 1934 figures, were sent principally to the following coun tries: —
In the report which accompanies the annual statistics the Chief of Customs remarks a progressive increase in the ex ports to Franc© during the past few years —in 1930 she took only 29.10 per cent, of the total, while in 1935 the percentage amounted to 57.26. This is accounted for to a large extent by the bonus on copra, the whole of which—2l.77B tons in 1935 went to France in vessels of the Mes sageries Maritimes Co.
Exports of vanilla—once an exceedingly remunerative crop—amounted to a mere 87 tons, valued at 2,458,000 francs in 1935, a diminution of 16 tons compared with 1934. In this connection it is encourag ing to note a substantial increase in the market value of this commodity, and it may be anticipated that this important factor will result in a renewed interest in vanilla plantations throughout the Is lands.
Another satisfactory feature of the export figures is a considerable increase in the amount of pearl shell exported from the Colony during 1935—396 tons valued at 723,000 francs against only 103 tons in 1934. The major portion of the 1935 output went to France.
Export of phosphate from Makatea Is land reached a total of 130,353 metric tons, the value of which is given as 7,876,000 francs. Here again a substan tial increase of 52,883 tons is recorded.
Japan took most of the 1935 production.
Other exports were negligible, those above mentioned totalling in value 23,807,- 000 francs, and accounting for 92.71 per cent, of the total.
Sixty-nine foreign vessels entered the ports of the Colony during the year with a total tonnage of 270,414. British tonn
age is given as 149,693; French, 70,756: Japanese, 34,537; Norwegian, Greek, and Panama combined, 15,428. Communica tion between the various archipelagoes comprising French Oceania was main tained by a fleet of 104 vessels of various categories—mostly auxiliary schooners and sailing cutters.
Mr. Owen Chapman, formerly of the Napier Public Works Department, New Zealand, arrived in Suva early in May to take up a position with the Fiji Public Works Department.
Mr. G. S. Dyer, who was in charge of investigations for Guinea Gold N.L. on the Xakekamu goldfield, Papua, arrived in Sydney from Port Moresby by the April Macdhui.
1935 1934 difference francs francs francs
U.S.A
.. 9,209.000 6,061.000 3,148,000 F ranee .. 5,340,000
5,143 Jooo
197,000 New Zealand .. .. 2,905.000 1,946,000 959,000 Australia .. 2 858,000 2,077,000 781,000..
China .. 1,619,000 2,426,000 807,000 England 845,000 1,210,000 365,000
1935 1934 difference francs francs francs France 14,702,000 11,622,000 3,080,000 Japan 6,974,000 3,127,000 3,847,000
I’-S.A 1,052,000 828,000 224,000
Australia 527,000 427,000 100,000 New Zealand 298,000 237,000 61,000