PHILIPPINE TRADE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6433, 3 February 1908, Page 8

PHILIPPINE TRADE.

i HOW AUSTRALIA IS AFFECTED. I j IMPROVING BUSINESS. I The New South Wales Minister for [‘Mines and Agriculture has received a I report on the trade of the Philippine (Islands, from Mr J. B. Suttor, Commissioner for Trade in tho East, from which the following extracts are taken by the “Sydney Daily Telegraph:— The statistics available illustrate a im rked change in the carrying trade to and from tho Philippines for 1907 compared with 1000. In imports, British vessels carried 56 per cent, of tile total trade. Tho value of goods brought in British bottoms increased from £3.112,705 in 1906 to £3,478,561 in 1907, an increase of £365,859 for 1 tho year under review- In tho oxpon- , carrying trade the ligures are still more satisfactory, and show that over 76 per cent, was carried in British bottoms, the increase being from £5.269,6(33 10a lOcl in 1906 to £5,419,795 ’2s G'l in 1907, an. increase of £150,132 U i 8d over tho high percentage for 1906. i Spanish and German vessels also show ■ slight increases compared with tho previous year, while American vessels show marked declines in both import and export carrying trade. In submitting his annual report for the Philip pines for the year under review (Juno 30, 1907), the Collector of Customs draws attention to an Act , passed by Congress or. April 30, 1906, i -by whjoh the navigation laws of the i United States are to apply to tho Philippines on and after April 11, 1909 ■ so that all American merchandise go- ; ing and doming between the United States and the Philippines must bo carried in American bottoms, Tho Collector of Customs points out that I of tho total export from the islands to , tho United States, amounting to £2,i 517,159 3s 4d. only £173,221, 9s 2d, or I about 6.80 per cent., was carried in I American bottoms; and out of the impcits, amounting to £1,180,052 18s 4J, cnly £196,4-15 16s Bd, or about 16.6 per cert., was carried by American vessels In view of the above, and on the assumption that the coastwise laws are brought into force as above stated, it is oloar ' hat American ships must io available at freight rates considerably lower than those now ruling, or the trade will be diverted to other countries from tlie islands. The higher freightage asked by the American vessels, is tho solo cause for the limited tonnage carried m -American vessels. Under existing conditions, it will be interesting to watch developments in connector with the application of the XTnited States coastwise laws to tho Philippines, and which, if brought into force, must seriously handicap the exporter of American goods to the islands and place him at a considerable disadvantage with manufacturers in Japan, or oven England and the Continent.

“I beg to draw attention to the inoi ease in live sock of £48.043 8s 4d for tho year 1907, compared with 1900. As remarked in my report for 1900 the principal importations still come from China, and solely for the reason that tho Chinese cattle are quiet, and can ho easily handled. But I still feel confident that if close attention is paid, to the shipment of cattle from Australia, energetic efforts should be attended with satisfactory ■ results, more especially when it is considered that each year the imports of live, stock for killing purposes are on the increase. But it is hopeless to expect any success on the steamers now running, as icmarked it my report above referred to- It is simply hopeless to expect that, under existing conditions, cattle can bo landed at tho Philippines in. good condition “The importations of horses for 1907 show an increase of £1273 2s 6d, compared with the previous year. Ever since I fi’st arrived at Manila I have always di.no my utmost to bring prominently before the authorities tho Bvitalility of tho Australian horses for the Philippines, and feel that my humble efforts are now about to meet with satisfactory results. It is certainly apparent that horses can be purchased from Australia far cheaper than they can bo imported from the ■ United States; and although the American horse is admirable for certain purposes, still I feel that the Australian horse,; are more suitable for tho islands. I als-> ascertained during my interviews that there is a growing demand for nu les, more on account of the high prices asked for American mules. I discussed tho matter with a leading horse and mule dealer, who has also visited Australia on my recommendation, with a view of ascertaining if suitable mules can bo obtained, or brtd. in Australia for requirements in tho Philippines. As tho-gentleman-re-ferred to, intends staying in Australia s. me little time, I am hopeful that some satisfactory result may be arrived at. "With the exception of eornineal. oatmeal, macaroni, vermicelli, flour

preparations, and nil brc-M----.suif! items sl;o\v satisfactory increase'*, in cor nection witli flour, the imporLalicns reached over BIBA,bUU sterling’ an incieasf of uoarlv £T4,000 coinpaved with the previous year. Australian Hour now oraciicaily controls Ike market or the Philippines, and the nupon,.liens have incr.•used from I.ls 8d in 1901 to £108.087 10s for the year under review, or 08 per cent, of tin- total importations. ‘The Australian lionr is in every sense far and vv>ay snjau-ior to the American flmr, tins being the --ole reason for the Cbines-o preierence to it, and not by any means on tho score of clKs-apmvss and inferiority, tin l Australian flour heme; qiiniy-d abont ten ctmls b:i|g more than the American fk-ur. Fnrtlmr ovidence • ! the sufioriorily, rtf the Australian flour is also apparent from tho fact that at Jioipikom; quite recently, in order to piib tJie American flour on tlie market, "(son was bad to tho pernicious sys-tc-n. of American flour in Ijaes bearing an Australian brand. Dr.rinp; my recent visit to Manila I interviewed many leading merchants interested in flour importations, and in ail cases I was told that Un-y looked upon our flour as in every way superior to the product from the Pacific Slopo I was also advised that the imn.( wno had hitherto never thought of ficur, are now using it—evidence of the rising standard of life iu tho islands.

“1 had a long ictcrviow with tho engineering authorities interested in the in pertation of cement, and was again ad\ iscd that unless our people can quote for cement delivered in casks, it is useless to hope for business in the islands. Knoh. year tho importations aie on the increase, and during the year under re\ iow there is un increase observable of about £BOOO sterling.

“As to fruits, tho importation of green apples have increased hem £1235 in 1906 to £3333 19s 2d in 1907Prunes, raisins, etc., as well as preserved fruits, including jams, were imported to the value of about £15,000 and £9OOO respectively. In connection with the latter, I am pleased to state that the Australian product is now’ holding the market, and under existing conditions, tho trade bids fair to still further improve. Although a largo number of Australian apples have recently readied the market, 1 carnot say that those pointed out tome as imported from Australia could oe looked upon as first class. They were very small, and had a shrivelled appearance and were reported as inferior to tho American and Japanese appies. However, if our fruitgrowers will only pay special attention to the quality of tho apples, and see that first-class fruits cnly are forwarded, they can always rely on ready sales at the islands. “The importations of butter for the current year readied £15,553 15s, a slight increase compared with 1906 The Australian butter appeals to absolutely hold the market, and is m high prepute. At the same time, in older that we may continue to hold the premier position, I invito special attention to the Pure Food and Drug Act.

“The importations of wine and spirits on tho whole show a considerable increase compared with 1906. In a recent report prepared by the Insular Collector of Customs, it is remarked that while wine is so largely consumed by the European population, it is also now being consumed to a gl owing extent by the Filipinos, and is used as a table beverage rather than for purposes of Intoxication. I therefore feel confident that if our light Australian wines are favourably introduced to the islands there should be a certain market for them, and I would gladly supply any further information required by any interested wine-grow-ers.”