PROVINCIAL EXPORTS.

Southland Times, Issue 751, 18 November 1867, Page 3

PROVINCIAL EXPORTS.

(From the Lyttelton Times.) The advices from England by last mail give assurances that we may count upon Canterbury wheat fetching, for some time to come, a price which will realise from four and six-pence to five shillings a bushel after all expenses are paid. Bat at the same time the necessity is pointed out for great care in the preparation of the grain for the London market. It is very certain that the result of our first shipments is satisfactory beyond what could have been anticipated; But it is not such as to encourage that reckless, indiffei'eut style of farming which was prevalent some few years ago, when prices stood abnormally high. For the future, good grain in good order may be considered sure of commanding a fair price, while badly grown grain will have to be sold for what it will fetch. The same may be said of the other staple export of this Province — wool. South America has lately become a formidable competitor in the production of coarse, unwashed wools, and her production will go on increasing for mmy years. Unless sheop-farmers are prepared to submit to a considerable reduction it will be advisable for them to get up their wools in good style, and to send them to market already washed Considerable inducements exists for doing so. While a competitor in the growth of coarse, unwashed wools, with resources almost illimitable, appears in South America, the competitors in the growth of the finer wools are rather decreasing. Neither Germany nor Spain have for some years yielded their usual quantity ' of fine merino wool in the general market. We need not stop here to speculate upon the probable causes of this diminished supply. They are in all likelihood very various. An increased demand for home manufacture, the gradual extension of vine cultivation, and other sources of employment, consequent upon the spread ef free trade, and the growth of population and industry in the Old "World consequent upon the slight interruptions to a long peace, have undoubtedly had much to do with it. And all these causes are of a kind which are likely to continue and to increase in their operation. Thus the prospects is held out to the younger Colonies of G-reat Britian to provide the increasing supply which is required. Few Colonies are so well fitted to benefit by this prospect as New Zealand. The dry climate, the varied character of the soil, and the facilities for irrigation, are nearly all that could be wished. Notwithstanding, then, the difficulties which may have at present to be encountered, there is ample encouragement held out to sheep farmers in the immediate futurs. The various experimeuts that are elsewhere being made, seem peculiarly worthy of the attention and imitation af our stockowners. Hawke's Bay is beforehand with us in starting a boiling-down company, and New South Wales, with a much less favorable "climate, has led the way successfully in the production of preserved meats. These two processes ought unquestionably to be conjoined. The preparation of tallow, horns, and hides, need be no hindrance to the preparation of preserved meats or essences such as those manufactured by Mr Tooth. Usually the boiling-down process has been connected with great waste, the best part ■of animals being thrown away or sold at unremunerative prices, such a3 sixpence for a leg of mutton. Were it only for the supply of the shipping in the rapidly advancing commerce of Australasia, the demand is large enough to encourage the experiment But there is no reason why the trade should not extend to England, and why these Southern Colonies should not supply all the shipping of English ports. The high price of meat in the English market affords every opportunity for successful competition.