VICTORIAN COMMERCE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 8992, 3 January 1895, Page 5

VICTORIAN COMMERCE.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright Melbourne, January 2.

The Argus in its commercial review |of the past year, says the totals show -a slight decre&se in, value as compared with the previous year. For this stationary condition the four principal causes are low prices, restriction of banking support, cessation of borrowing, and decay of intercolonial trade. The last cause is one more within Victoria's control. By pursuing a high tariff a' course which has steadily tended to alienate Biverina most of all, and by the embarrassment occasioned by apparently such a trivial matter as tho primage duty, Victoria has almost invited the decline in her intercolonial trade. At the same time, part of the decline should be attributed to depression throughout the colonies. The value of imports from the United Kiugdom was less than half what it was in 1888. The neb result of the year's trading, on the whole, is unsatisfactory, although the . year closes with distinct) signs of improvement so far as the character of trading is concerned, but not the volume. There are, however, serious obstacles in the way of a speedy return to prosperous circumstances. An unsettled public opinion with regard to the, financial position of the colony, large increase of taxation at a time when resources have seriously dwindled, and the great magnitude of annual remittances of interest to London all militate against trade. It is evident, after taking into account both the favourable and unfavourable oiroumstanoes, that the immediate outlook can hardly be regarded with sanguine optimism.

. The Age, in reviewing the export trade of the past year, says it is a subject of keen satisfaction that the country, instead of sitting down whimpering over its troubles, is doing its best to place matters on a sounder footing. It estimates the gross exports of frozen mutton for the year at 200,000 carcases, while 20,833,0001b of butter, of the value of £784,000, were shipped Home, this being an increase in value over the preceding year of £250,000.