A LOST TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1924, Page 3

A LOST TRADE

A IST KALIAN WATTLE. SYDNEY, .lime m Ausiraliii's wattle hark industry mice promised lo he of world-wide scope, and highly lucrative. The product, which as everyhody knows is invaluable for tannine purposes, crows well throughout huge areas, vet to-day. owing tu the differing lahotir eomlilioiis between the two countries. South

Africa, which was originally supplied with the seeds fi'oin Australia, actually lands hack in Sydney .and sells it at

Cl per ton cheaper than the local product. For Australia, it is a lost trade. It is tin (dd story, of how, nearly 30 years ago, it la rue quantity of wattle seetl was sent from South Australia to Natal for (id per It). Since then South African growers have made tremendous headway, and for the twelve months ended March 111st. last, the importation of Natal hark into Australia totalled Old tons -tin average of '•’>lo tons a month. The value fluctuated between £7 los to £H a ton net, e.i.f. Australian ports. In previous years the importations have been as Inch as SCI I!) tons for the twelve months. I’rior to the last revision of the tariff, the rate of duty on Natal hark was .'Mis a ton. It was then increased to £ll. which is the nrcsent ruling rate. F.veu in the face of this 100 per cent, increase, the importations are greater than for the previous season. The Adelaide hills produce the finest quality wattle hark in the world. Natal Inis practically the same high quality, it reaches maturity more quickly, and cost ot labour (Kaffir) is very much cheaper a few shillings a ton. The ruling rate for stripping lank in Australia may he anything from £3 to £4 a ton. and in many eases the growers {ire nrepared to go half shares with the stripper. Aron to undertake this work, however, are hard to gel {it the time when they are wanted, despite the army of unemployed. the great majority of whom •will not leave the city. Another vital factor in connexion with this industry is the question of cheat) freights. Many of the cargo steamers come from Swedish ports. 1 discharge part cargo at Cape I own. and Durban, and they are prepared to fill up their holds with hark and maize at rates ruling from 'Jos to ,'los a ton. Ofter cheaper rates can he obtained. Tlie cost of sending hark from fort Adelaide to Sydney is 'Jos a ton. and to Brisbane proportionately higher. 'notations for the South African pro-

duct. {it present are in the region of j from £S It's to £S los it ton. e.i.f.. Australian ports. orowers in the Adelaide hills received for the season just closed practically an average all-round price of £lO a ton. delivered at the bark mills, and by the time payment has |teen made for grinding, bags, cartage, wharfages and Ireiglits to the Alolbotirne. Sydney, and Brisbane markets, who draw largely upon South Australia for their supplies, Adelaide hark is considerably higher in price than the imported Natal article.