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Star (Christchurch), Issue 51, 13 July 1868, Page 3

Wiirat from South Uossian Ports.— Mr Consul Carruthera.of Taganrog, in his report to the Foreigti'Ofßce tlifa year, aiates that the emancipated serfa are peaceably settling down, and their labour will in the course of a few years sensibly incrcaso the volume of agricuN turnl productions. But ho gives a caution ngalnst conjectures which have been formed of the effect of the projected railways, when completed, upon the supply of cereals to British markets. Tho consul says •— lt has been stated even that Russian wheat might bo delivered in England at 30a per qr, Thoso who venture- t»> Ivixard such an opinion can know little of tho subject on which they treat, still less of the obstacles to free inter* course and lack of resources existing 'in the inland districts of thia country, where made roads aro unknown, capital scarce, and the administration venal. Railway* will no doubt afford tlto means of conveying moro rapidly to market produce grown on lands contiguous to. the lines, but this can bo only a very small portion of tho aggregate supplies} and n short dhtanco from railway stations will, at certain seasons, suffice to not us an irrefrangible barrier. Independent of thia it is well known that conveyance of grain by rail is a Tcry expensive expedient in nil )>nr(s of tho world, and csrtfctoly not likely to l>e less so in Rusiia dun el e where ; but however efficient may bo the railway service, and however low tho rates of trans port, the productive powers of the country wilt not soon be increased materially thereby, All surplus produco is now exported ; to Increase supplies sufficiently In ratio to affect prices will necessitate more extended in* das try, an augmented population, and also a much wider breadth of . culture. These ndvantnges will doubtless accrue to Russia in progrißs of time; that is, however, no reason why prices should become very sen* slbly reduced ; experience, indeed, would rather indicato a contrary tendency. The quantity of grain now grown in Kurope 1$ greatly in excess of what was the case fifteen years ago j nevertheless, it is not found that the increased production has depressed prices, a proportionately larger consumption having maintained tho equilibrium. However thia may be, British market* incur little rUle of being inundated with grain from Russia. The United States aro by far more capable of bringing about such a contingency by the energy, skill, commercial enterprise, and free action enjoyed by that people."