AN OPENING FOR AUSTRALASIAN PRODUCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1566, 24 May 1887, Page 2

AN OPENING FOR AUSTRALASIAN PRODUCE.

I hear that the AußtraliaDß are turning their attention to the preservation of milk and butter for exportation, it is a wonder that they did not thiok of each a business sooner. The numerous herds of cattle kept m the Australian colonies ought to furnish an inexhaustible supply of good fresh milk. The milk can be condensed and canned m the usual sized tins, with thin heads, so as to permit of their being easily cut open. Butter may also be made from the cream of new milk, and Bomething like Dutch cheese made from the whey, I beUeve. Now all three abovementioned condiments will find a ready market at reasonable prices m China— a fact which ought to be encouraging to the promoters of the company for utilising the produce of Australian dairies. I believe Mt Is safe to say that 1,000,000 tins of milk and 500,000 pounds of butter can be easily disposed of m China annually, and a fair quantity of wholesome cheeso. At present we are principally indebted to the American dairies for milk, cheese, and butter, most of which is of excellent quality and reasonable m price. A little wholesome is desirable, however, and the Australians are m the best possible position for such competition. Europe is too far away, and requires such large quantities of milk for home consumption that very little can te spared for Eastern markets. " Advance . Austraiia," and Bend us all kinds of food, flour, wine, and milk at reasonable prioei and m suitable parcels. The number of Chinese who use imported preserved food is increasing daily, and will go on increasing as the facilities fot obtaining such increase also. Tha Ohlneie litttrati, who, from religious motives, abstain from the use of beef as food, will readily take milk and butter, as- the extraction of Buoh does not necessitate the slaughter of the animal, whereaa beef can only be obtained by the killing of oxen, an aob which, In the eyes of maoy Chinese, la looked upon as eaorllege, the ox being a sort of consecrated animal, Because it Is so extensively used throughout the empire m the cultivation of the soil. Another item worth the attention of the Australians is the export here of the leather made from the hides of the numerous animala slaughtered annually. Chinese-made leather is very poor la quality, being only partly tanned, cured, and unsuitable for shoe leather. Calf and

kips are required for the uppers of boots and shoes worn by all foreigner and many Chinese. Sole-leather is also re* quired by the Chinese as well bb foreigner!. Pump-leather is another kind for whioh 1 there will be >'a considerable demandi while the requirements for the Ohinese army are beoomlng greater every day. Rifle-slinga, crosa-telts, and cartoucheboxes will also come into" vogue, if not knapsacks as well Then there is military harness for the artillery, and some may beneeded for the cavalry also, when the army is thoroughly remodelled, and reorganisation determined upon m a seriouß manner. .Leather imported from Europe and America is too dear, and that imported from the Straits is not good, barely equal to some Chinese tanned leather. China may therefore be considered as a very promising market for the Australians.—' British Trade Journal.