TASMANIA.

West Coast Times, Issue 646, 19 October 1867, Page 4

TASMANIA.

(FBO2ff THE ABGXTB.)

The statistics of Tasmania for 1866 do not furnish a very encouraging picture of the condition of things in that colony. Population almost stationary, more departures than arrivals, trade declining, the revenue falling off, money leaving the colony, the circulation and business of the banks growing less aud less — these are the more prominent features of the history of our southern neighbors during the past year. Tasmania does not boast a registrar-general, but the functions of statistician are performed by Mr E. C. Nowell, who fi.ls the offices of clerk of the Executive an>l Legislative Councils; and who, without any additional remuneration, compi'es the annual blue book, just by way. we suppose, of occupying his leisure time. Cato doubtless uttered a profound truth when he exclaimed, Magnum vectigal est parshnonia; but it does seem to us to savour of a parsimony other than that intended by the great Eoman to attach to the three offices just mentioned the munificent salary of L6OO a year. But, however, ifc is with Mr Nowell's fact and figures, rather than with the value which is set upon his services, that we have to do.

During the ten years ending with 1866 the population has only increased from 83,612 to 97,368 souls ; or, 16-45 per cent. In the same ten years the population of Victoria has grown from 463,135 to 643,912, an increase of 39.03 per cent. ; while the growth of population in South Australia jias been still more rapid, for between the census taken 31st March, 1855, and the end of 18K5, the population had nearly doubled, the actual increase being 82*48 pnr cent. By emigralion, Tasmania lost more in three years than she gained by immigration, the balance against the colony being 1557 souls. The statistics of trade are still more unfavorable than those of population. In 1857 the exports amounted t0L1,354,655; last year they only reached L 834.606. In the former year the entire external trade, adding together imports and exports, was represented by L 2,625,74 2; in the latter it, had fallen to L 1.776,713. Not only has there been this large decline, but the relation of imports to exports has undergone a remarkaole change. In the first half of the period of which -we are speaking, that is, 1857-61, the imports exceeded the exports by an annual average of L 43.54 8; trat in the years 1862-6, the exports averaged L 47.470 more than the imports. To Mr Jenner and other believers in the doctrine that every country ought to send away more than it receives in return, this result must be exceedingly gratifying ; but those who are convinced that the prosperity of a country, like that of an individual, can only be • secured by its incomings exceeding its outgoings, will naturally ask whether any explanation can be offered of this curious economical fact. Mr Nowell, although noticing it, appears to have misconceived its significance, for he infers from it that Tasmaria is producing more in proportion to what it consumes, and that, although trade has declined, "it stands on a perfectly sound basis." We must confess that we cannot discover warrant for either of these inferences. If Tasmania produced i more proportionately than it consumed, ; the balance, we presume, would be exported, and an increase of exports would be the result. Nor do we see bow trade can be sounder when conducted on the principle of paying more for everything than it is presumed to be worth. The material question in connection with this economical phenomenon seems to us to be this : — Hare the changes in the tariff bad am thing to do with it? Before 1862, the tariff comprised no more than eighteen articles. In 1862 fifty-three other articles were added to it, and an ad valorem duty of ten per cent, was imposed upon a long list of other goods. In 1863 a measurement duty was substituted for the ad valorem duties, and in 1864 the tariff was still further extended by the addition of ten new articles. While the old and simple tariff was in force, the imports exceeded the exports ; no sooner is a protective tariff adopted than the exports exceed the imports. This latter circumstance may be accounted tor in two ways. While ad valorem duties are in force, imports are always entered at the lowest possible yalue by most people, and at less than the value by many ; this would account ' for the excess of exports for part ot the period. The disposition to \ adhere to the old rates of valua- j tion for the exports, that is to say, to the rates which obtained before such a great falling off in trade took place, would be almost sufficient to explain the phenomenon for the rest of the time.* However, it is evident from these returns that the protective system in Tasmania has led not merely to lessend import itions, at which proti ctionists rejoice, but also to lessened exportation, which they avow, it is their aim to avert. Of the imports in 1866, considerably more than half, or L357,878> were imported from Victoria. The decline in trade is still more strikingly shown by the shipping returns. In 1857, 23 foreign vessels entered the Tasmanian ports ; in 18C5, and 1866, only 3. In the ye ts 1857 to 1861, an average of 895 vessels per annum entered and cleared ; from 1862 to 1866, only 720. In such a condition of trade the revenue of the colony must necessarilyi suffer. Although extra Customs duties have been imposed, and stamp duties realising some L 12.000 a year have been levied, the revenue is still lower than it was in 1857. From L 269.901 in that year, it has fallen to L 240,789 in 1866. Of the several items of decrease the most notable is that in rents of Crown lands ; for these have fallen from L' 23,854 in 1857 to L 9223 in 1866. The transactions of the banks, while perhaps furnishing the best criterion of the commercial condition of the colony, exhibit a greater decline than either population, trade or revenue. In 1857 their coin and bullion amounted to L5O1.211; and in 1866 only to L 165.412. In the former year the notes and bills in circulation were L 160.230, and in the latter but L 77.769. In 1857 the deposits amounted to L 1,205,654, and in 1866 to L 636.916. In fact, the entire deposits of Tasmania •re only slightly larger than the deposits in the last but one of the banks which k*T» be«n established in Victoria.

, Simplicity is a great object in 5 great; book ; ii ii not wanted in a short one. Don't you know, ai the French iaj, there ' Cre three mu-mtn, 'woman, and clergyA wag reading in eno of Brigham Young's itanifestoeß, " that the great resource* of Utah CM her women/ exclaimed, " it is rery evident Ibafc the prophet it disposed to hutband kit r»teurte*. " Young man, do you beliere in a future »t:ito?" In course I dur j and, what's more, I iutend to enter it ac coon a« Betsey geti her thiog* ready."

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