OUR EXPORTS.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 37, 8 December 1894, Page 11

OUR EXPORTS.

The more practical experience on an enlarged scale of the work of agricultural development (remarks the Sydney Morning Herald) has led the colonists of Hew Zealand to desert it to some extent for the more profit- ' able pastoral enterprise, in this respect it is to be noted, following the example of British landowners. In the September quarter of this year the export of agricultural produce declined by no less than £108,095. It is recognised that New Zealand is beaten out of the Home market by cheap Indian and Argentine wheat one forced by a depreciated paper and the other by a depreciated silver currency —and this year there has been no drought in Australia to create a demand for New Zealand oats. While there had been decreases in many articles, progress was shown in the following: Wool, £15,830 (£251,166—£218,336); frozen meats, £47,445 (£282,880 — £235,435) ; tallow, £14,399 (£58,107 —£43,708) ; sheepskins, £7918 (£40,158 —£32,240). These products of New Zealand flocks and herds together show an increase of £106,000, J nearly counterbalancing the decline j in agricultural products. Timber J also shows some improvement, there j being an increase under this head for the quarter of £12,407 (£33,557 — j £21,150). Taking the three quarters j of the year together and comparing J them with the corresponding quarters of last year, the figures stand thus : ISQ/1 isos

or an actual increase this year of £171,175 ; and though the increase in the March quarter was partly owing to the later shipment of the clip of wool than in the previous year, the result is satisfactory, taking into account the great falling off in grain shipments and in kauri gum and phormium, the values of which have become greatly reduced.

March quarter .. £4,000,799 £3,635,790 ! June „ 1,989,237 2,113,018 September „ 1,286,966 1,361,019 ] £7,281,002 £7,109,827