THE STATISTICS FOR 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1996, 28 September 1869, Page 2

THE STATISTICS FOR 1869.

The Timaru Herald, in an article on the above subject, observes :—The tables showing the imports and exports for the year 1868 afford material for careful consideration and reflection. On looking over the returns, every one will naturally exclaim against the ruinous system of importing so many articles which can be produced in the Colony. We have taken the’trouble to compile from the statistics a few figures showing the yearly expenditure, in foreign countries, for productions which should, at least in part, be raised in the Colony. The following are items we have selected to illustrate our case :

Now does it not appear rather remarkable that a country so well adapted for raising dairy produce should expend with other countries a sum of over LIOO,OOO in one year for its supply of butter, eggs, bacon, hams, cheese, and fresh beef ? It is clear that the settlers of New Zealand are either too rich to pay attention to dairy farming, or else they hud the cultivation of cereals more remunerative. Then again let us consider the enormous sums drained away from the Colony for flour and wheat, amounting in value to L 216,416 in the year 1868. There was, however, a small export, amounting in value to L 39,106, which must be deducted; but then there is left an excess of imports over exports to the value of L 177,310, Indeed the only satisfactory items in the table are barley and oats, where the excess appeal's in favor of the colony. So as it appears very absurd that we should pay to a neighboring colony so large a sum as L 154,628 in a siugle year for coals, when we have within our own borders millions of tons of equal, ii not superior quality. And yet our best coal is really dearer than that imported from New South Wales, because we haue never yet set about working it in a business-like manner. Then again, if we take the items of beer and malt, we find the excess of imports over exports amounted to no less-a sum than L 122,770, half o c which at least might have been saved to the Colony, with proper enterprise among our capitalists. Aud further, what is to prevent us from manufacturing bags and sacks out of the native flax, and so retain within the Colony the capital sent to foreign countries. The sum expended in 1868 for this purpose shows merely the beginning of a trade which must ere long assume vast proportion and give employment to hundreds of people. But there is one portion of the statistics which calls for special notice—that relating to the drink imported into this Colony, which is not decreasing in the ratio anticipated through the commercial and general depression of the Colony. It seems that the people are still rich enough to waste a sum of nearly L4QO,QQO a year in intoxicating liquors. This expenditure is out of all proportion when compared with that of other countries, aud is not easily accounted for, except by the broad fact of the comparative wealth of the people. The total for 1868 shows a reduction, as compared with that of 1867, of more than L 60,000 j but this is accounted for by the fact, that last year colonial beer largely superceded the use of English ale, and it is probable that the difference of L 75,000 between the two years, was expended in the Colony. We can in no other way account for thlavge reduction in this item, especially when spirits show a large increase. In the four principal items

of spirits, there is an aggregate increase of L 33,222 ; but in the milder drink—■wine—there is ft decrease L 23,000. The figures for the two years are as follow; — 1867. 1868. Brandy 108,662 ... 118,401 Cordials ... 2,009 ... Geneva 24,487 ... 32,096 Gin (sweetened) ... 9,201 ... 0,772 Rum 18,127 ... 22 712 Whiskey 27,397 38,6-6 Wine 110,715 ... 87,207 - i6 w % - 85 ’ 263 These returns afford food for the reflection of political economists, and will show the real causes of the prosperity or wretchedness, the improvement or deterioration of the Colony. # * * What we contend is that the Colony yearly wastes a gigantic sum which might be profitably employed in tradeand that it expends large suras annually with other countries for products which could be just as cheaply raised within its borders. These facts tend to show that our laws are not framed with tiie most accurate and long-sighted perception of their effects, and they induce first stagnation and then decay. A reform is certainly needed in our tariff, and it may be that the great question of Free trade versus Protection will shortly be brought prominently before the country.

Agricultural Implements Imports. *7,771 Exports 109 Bags and Hacks ... 63,123 672 Barley 3,025 14,452 Heer, bottled ... 65,023 3,298 Beer, draught ... 20,540 2,503 Butter 28,760 2,626 Canvas 7,692 50 Chaff 12,729 nil Cheese 12,040 1,672 Chicory 2,494 425 Coal 154,624 1,363 Eggs 11,569 nil Flour 146,387 4,661 Fruit (green) ... 20,005 8 Furniture 27.098 1,452 Maize 16,971 343 Malt 44,750 1,442 Oats 2,199 66,644 Wheat 70,029 34,445 Bacon and Hams 43,121 989 Beef (fresh) 5,735 409