TRADE IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5760, 2 January 1897, Page 5

TRADE IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

A REVIEW OF THE YEAR. THE OUTLOOK. [Peb Pbess Association."! SYDNEY, Jan. 2. The Herald, in its trado review for the year, says that business had been marked by a steady improvement, although drought affected the volume of exports. Still there was no decline in the pastoral, agricultural, dairying and mining enterprises. The mimber unemployed was far less than in the previous year. Although the troubles resulting from the collapse of building societies and banks have not entirely passed away, conditions have gradually developed which have brought much nearer the time when industry and business will be on a normal basis. The general tone is far healthier than at any time in the present decade, and thero are signs on every hand of a return to a larger measure of general prosperity.

The Telegraph says that notwithstanding the disastrous effects of the drought in the previous year, which it estimates lessened the colony's exports for 1896 to the extent of two or three millions, and necessitated the importation of foods to the value of upwards of a million, the year has been one of large progress and expansion, and the outlook for 1897 is highly satisfactory.

The revenue of the colony for the halfyear ended Dec 31, showed a decrease of as compared ivith tho corresponding half of last year, but against this has been placed -£445,000, represented by the remission of customs' duties. The railways showed an increase of .£66,000 for last quarter. The total revenue showed a comparative decrease of .£l ll,OOO.