Growth of Tonga's
pp. 55-56 · Read in the full issue
Banano Trade
From Our Own Correspondent
Nukualofa, June 10.
IN Tonga’s, trade figures for 1939, just issued by the Government, both imports and exports show a down ward trend compared with 1938: 1938 1939 Imports . . . . £83,026 £79,696 Exports . . . . £86,196 £79,820 An important feature of the report is the healthy expansion of the Kingdom’s banana industry—an increase of from 10,825 cases (£3,507) in 1938 to 31,025 cases (£12,085) in 1939. The value is the highest since the inauguration of the system in 1931, and the production has been exceeded only once previously, in 1932, when 47,659 cases were exported.
Copra exports, as a result of world conditions and a falling off in demand, declined from 12,428 tons (£79,799) in 1938 to 10,500 tons (£64,544). Three quarters of the copra shipped went to Europe and the balance to Mexico. The only other export of note was pine apples—B76 cases (worth £252) against 517 (£124) in 1938.
Australia continued to dominate the import market —she supplied £20,352 worth of goods; then followed New Zealand (£16,731). Britain (£13,761), U.S.A. (£8,492). India (£6,224), and Japan (£4,405). A few years ago Japanese imports were increasing alarmingly—they were worth £20,009 in 1937 —but the position has now vastly changed.
Mrs. T. Miller recently returned to Port Moresby, Papua, from Australia, completely recovered in health, and later went on to her plantation home at Paili.
Dr. S. Warren Carey, geologist of the Australasian Petroleum Co., Ltd., re cently returned to Papua from Australia, accompanied by his bride.
Mr. Harry Buffett, an old and respected resident of Norfolk Island, died recently at the age of 81, following a long illness.