OUR IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2008, 18 August 1892, Page 8

OUR IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

The net exports from the colony for the June quarter 1892, deducting £31,641 of specie, amounted to £2,178,637, as ngainst £2,314,974 for the corresponding quarter of 189 1 — a decrease of £136,337 ; but the greater part of this difference is accounted for by the disturbing element of the gold duty, which was removed at the end of March last year, so swelling the exports of the June quarter 1891 by the quantity of gold held over to escape the duty. The gold exports for tho corresponding quarter 1891 amounted to £412,146, and for the past quarter of 1892 only to £230,828. It is quite clear that not nearly all this difference is a real falling off in production. We may safely say at least £100,000 to £120,000 of the shipments last year in the June quarter were accumulations from the two previous quarters. The following figures show the comparison for three years : —

ISO 2, 1891. 1890. Juno quarter £2,178,637 £2,314,974 £2,242,252 — which, after making the above allowance, shows wonderfully little variation, only we cannot say that there is a progressive increase from the high figures of 1890. The principal items of decrease other than gold are, in round numbers — Phormium, £28,000 (£34,087— £62,257) ; timber, a rather remarkable reduction of £30,000 (£16,770— £47,413) ; cheese, £6000 (£28,067— £34,397) ; meats preserved, £15,000 (£28,295— £43, 249); frozen meat, £54,000 (£325,012— £379,360) ; sheepskins, £7000 (£39,889— £46,976). On the other hand there is an increase of £22,000 in wool (£652,416— £630,606) ; in kauri gum of £30,000 (£133,688— £103,222) ; of no less than £124,000 in agricultural products, principally wheat aud oats (£440,592— £316,487) ; of £9000 in butter (£40,667— £31 406) ; and of £7000 in leather (£22,136-^14,913). We know that the decline on shipments of frozen mutton is only likely to be temporary, as we have plenty of stock, only prices for the time of sheep, both fat and stores, seem to have reached an unsafe limit. Possibly the large increase of 1,700,000 in the sheep returns is to some extent more apparent than real, as. jt seems, they have been taken more

accurately this year than last, but there is littlo doubt that there is sorue increase. If, however, as is supposed, this is mainly in merino flocks and owing to the decrease of rabbits on the runs, the available supply of freezers may continue somewhat short for a few months to come. Wool shows a steady increase, and the only item that indicates a languishing industry is timber, and this probably^ owing to the unsatisfactory state of matters in Australia, which must have stopped building operations.

The import returns show a substantial increase of £268,059— th0 figures being £1,412,330 against £1,144,271 for the corresponding quarter of last year. Wellington figures for nearly half of this increase (£125,976), Lyltelton for £71,631, Auckland for £15,48y, Dunediu for £26,823, and Nelson and the smaller North Island ports for the remainder. It is tolerably clear that the north is going ahead much faster than tho south, mainly because settlement is going on faster there than in older settled districts. We must be content if we can hold our own, and not be jealous of the prosperity of our neighbours ; but we must neveitlieless see that wo do get what is fairly our own in such matters, as, for example, the pushing forward of tho Otago Central railway to place us in contact with fresh productive country. It is not that we are going back, but that our northern rivals are advancing more quickly, and especially Wellington, which must now derive great benefit from its railway connections with Napier and the West Coast. The Profits of Forest Tree Planting. "Arboriculturist" writes as follows in tho Daily Times :—: — At the present time, as there is an agitation for tree planting and the keeping of Arbor Day, it might not be out of place to give the profit accruing therefrom. We will take for example : 1000 acres planted iv 20 years would produce :—: — Purchase of ICOO tree 3 £1,000 Trees and labour 4,000 Caretaker (at £50 per year) ... 1,000 Fencing and repairs (500 Incidental cxpjnsea 400 7,(100 Say interest on £7000 in 20 years 23 itOO Total £30,000 Now 1000 trees per acre is ... 1.0UU.000 Sold at only 3a per tree 3 20)3,000,000/£150,000 Less 30,000 Total profit £120,000 Where the proposed Otago Central railway is inteuded to traverse is practically a treeless region. Would it not be a great boon, besides a large revenue, if only a few blocks could be plauted, as the above illustrates ? In fact, in many parts of the colony there is land unsuitable for agricultural purposes which could be planted. Ib is a known fact that in States in America the climate has been wonderfully changed, for shelter, beauty, moisture, and fertility have followed the advent of planting herbaceous and deciduous trees in belts in almost uninhabitable regions, to 6ay nothing of their mercantile value. PS. — The above is an outline, but the fact might be mentioned that under the present mode of denuding the forests of New Zealand ib is computed that in 30 years there will be very little timber of any value left. The Agricultural Outlook. TO THE EDITOB. Sin, — After a tour of the rural districts of Otago I was gratified to find from my inquiries from farmers that their hopes for the future are brightening. The breeding of stock appears to be a growing industry. Many complained that it was impossible to procure store sheep for feeding off their turnips at prices that would leave any margin for profit. As a result many farmers are selling their turnips or leasing them to sheep-owners at bo much per week. Now that stock cau be disposed of at remunerative prices, many farmers who have land suitable for turnips are turning their attention in that direction, as the growing of grain has been anything but profitable during the past two or three years. Besides, stockbreeding does not impoverish the land as growing cereals does. From my observations I have no hesitation in saying that the change is in the proper direction, and the breeding of sheep of the right sort will greatly assist in makjug the community prosperous. Our climate is admirably suited for stockbreeding, and no other system of farming will be found so profitable, as those who have been toiling and trying for years at grain-growing are beginning to find out. The system of holding monthly sales of surplus stock recently established in most districts i 3 another step in the right direction, as the expense of travelling the stock is avoided, and the tendency is in the direction of steadying prices, while it often happens that a better price is obtained locally than if the stock had been taken to the larger centres.

There is one subject which is a good deal discussed among farmers, and that is the obtaining of their groceries and stores at wholesale prices, the supply being obtained twice a yeir. When the farmer sends his grain or wool to his agent he ought to be ablo to obtain his stores at wholesale prices, as the security is in the agent's hands. Were, this system more generally adopted, the saving would bo considerable, and the producer would save the profits of the middleman — iv other words, would receive a better price for his produce. I believe one company has already introduced the system, with satisfactory results to its customers. In conclusion, I must express my pleasure at

finding that the proposal to have one day set apart as Arbor Day for the colony has been warmly tnken up. Tho beneficial result will be shortly evident, as tree planting will increase the comfort and add greatly to tho value of many a home. — I am, &c, One Who Desikks to See the August 3. Fatuier Prosper.