89
14
market is limited, and other outlets are needed. Ornamental timbers, such as the Bean-tree (Castanospermum australe), Silky Oak (Grevillea Robusta), Beech (Gmelina Leichhardtii), are available in large quantities, and could be placed f.o.b. at a few shillings less price. Samples of these and many other valuable Queensland timbers are at the Imperial Institute.
The Herberton Chamber of Commerce makes the same complaint as the Chamber of Commerce, Cairns that no market can be found for their timbers; but they have no railway accommodation at present, and could not lay it down at the port at the same price.
SUGAR.
Though it may not be long before Queensland will have to look for a European market, a sufficient market has up to the present been found in Australasia at satisfac- tory prices; and sugar being an article of commerce which holds a market throughout the world, it will, when that time arrives, not require any exceptional provision in order to place it upon the market, and will have to stand or fall with that produced by other
countries.
The Mackay Chamber of Commerce considers that the actual values of Queensland sugars in the British markets should from time to time be communicated to Queensland to facilitate individual knowledge of the British markets.
15379.
17808.
15
TASMANIA.
No. 12.
EXTRACT from Enclosure in GOVERNOR Viscount GORMANSTON'S Despatch, No. 27, of July 11, 1896.
The Treasury, Hobart, June 24, 1896. MEMORANDUM for the Honourable the l'remier, in reply to letter of Sir R. G. W. Herbert, Agent-General, accompanying the Circular Despatch of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Joseph Chamberlain, to His Excellency the Governor of the Colony, on the subject of trade with the United Kingdom.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
To another branch of enquiry, viz., that of paragraph 7* Products which might advantageously be exported to United Kingdom, &c., but which do not at present find a sufficient market there," a separate schedule is enclosed. In that schedule wheat finds a place; but it is without, on my part, any belief in the utility of considering how Australasia can enter into successful competition with Wisconsin, Manitoba, Egypt, India, and the Danubian Principalities. Wheat at Liverpool at the price of last year, 20s. to 24s. per quarter, could not be displaced by Australasia even with a differential duty of 4s. per quarter in its favour, and the statement repeated by Mr. Lowles, M.P. for Haggerston, on the authority of a Canadian statesman, that 1s. per quarter would turn the course of trade, does not apply to us.
The chief products of Tasmania for which British markets should be satisfactorily sought are butter, cheese, fruit, hops, bark, timber; other Tasmanian products have already a possession of those markets which cannot be improved upon.
**
SIR,
WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
No. 11.
The AGENT-GENERAL FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received July 23, 1896.)
Office of Agent-General for Western Australia,
15, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, S.W.,
July 21, 1896.
In reference to your letter of 31st December, 1895, on the subject of a despatch forwarded by the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the various Colonial Governors, relative to the development of the export trade of the British Colonies with the United Kingdom, in reply, I have to state that I have brought the matter to the special notice of Sir John Forrest, and he directs me to transmit to you the enclosed letter from the Acting-Secretary of the Perth Chamber of Commerce, expressing the opinion of the Chamber, so far as the subject matter of the despatch refers to the export trade of Western Australia.
I have, &c.,
MALCOLM FRASER,
Agent-General.
Enclosure in No. 12.
*
P. O. FYSH, Treasurer.
CLASSIFICATION and RETURN showing EXPORTS of the MANUFACTURES and PRODUCTS of TASMANIA for Twelve Months ending 31st December, 1895.
Classification.
Articles.
Quantity
Value.
Bemarki.
Art and Mechanic Leather
Productions.
378,949 lbs.
£ 11,156
Shipped regularly to London.
This product is largely utilised locally, only the lighter hides being exported.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
CO.885
7
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
SIR,
Enclosure in No. 11,
Perth Chamber of Commerce, Perth, W.A., April 24, 1896.
I BEG to acknowledge receipt of your communication, with enclosures, dated 13th instant.
In re the same, I have the honour to inform you that on Tuesday afternoon last a special committee meeting of the Perth Chamber of Commerce was held to consider the matters referred to in the letter and extract accompanying your letter, and to furnish you, if possible, with a return of any local products which might be advantageously exported to the United Kingdom, but which do not at present find a sufficient market in the Colony. On careful consideration, however, my Committee found that, at present, at any rate, no difficulty is experienced in getting a ready market for Western Australian produce which she is desirous of exporting, and, also, that for most of our Colonial products there is a ready market within our own borders.
I have, &c.,
J. FOSTER SKEWES,
Acting Secretary.
(Textile Fabrics and dress.)
Fabrics,
cotton, woollen, silk
386 packages
4.633
Foods, Drinks, &c. (Animal Food.)
Bacon and Hains
2,754 lbs.
69
† Butter
304,249 lbs.
Cheese
* See page 17 of [C. 8449].
1,290 lbs.
12,518
27
We do not produce, but could do so, for export to United Kingdom on a preferential duty of 2d. per lb.
Shipped to London during season: the quality finds it a market in United Kingdom : any duty would be disad- vantageous to commerce, and, possibly, hurtful to producer here, as price would reduce consumption.
These items are the articles that are being shipped to London.
The Collector of Customs, Fremantle.
Classification.
16
Artioles.
Quantity.
Value,
(Vegetable Food.) *Honey
Remarks.