The sun., 1897-09-26

From the above table it appears that the re-
corded value of foreign imports in the year 1894
was materially greater than the value in 1884;
that while the total imports OF the colonies in
creased in the decade by something over per
cent, the foreign imports increased by about 20
per cent.
The reports which accompany these returns.
however. reveal "A general opinion that the i'm
portation Of foreign made goods into tho colo
mics has grown far more than Is shown by the
above figures The official figures are only con-
cerned with the port OF shipment, and that is
not enough to identify the country of origin.
Thus Mr.. Harris Of the Colonial Office points out
that in Queensland. where tho general percent
age is shown as IS per cent, tho estimated act
n II percentage on twenty-thrre ont OF sixty-four
articles returned ranges from 80 per cent. to
30 per cent. Tho actual extent OF Brit
ish displacement can only tie estimated
very roughly, but it is quite certain that the in
crease OF 20 per cent which foreign goods show
in the decade by no means represents the whole
facts Of the case. In several instances the for
eigner docs more than 80 per cent. Of a trade
few years ago admittedly British Cape Colony
reports that the United States have increased
their ade in carriages and wagons about
twenty fold ring the period under review, and
now hold more than 80 per cent. OF the trade.
Germany has increased her trade in biscuits and
bread W. Il tho Straits Settlements five
fold. and now has 30 per cent. With
Hong Kong the same country has cut
into the yellow metal trade and obtained so
per cent. of it. The United States exports ham
mers into Victoria AM now holds so per cent OF
tho trade. Tasmania buys her implements Of
industry more and more from Germany and the
United States, and they now have 662a per cent.
OF the trade. Germany again has almost OBJ
tanned the monopoly of the trade in musical in
-;tI nfrtn
which most frequently mentioned in the re-
turns as seriously competing with British
goods are, without doubt. the United States and
Germany; In some lines Belgium is an equally
energetic competitor, but her scope appears tn
be more limited. In the East the competition of
Japan is rapidly becoming the leading feature
in the trade OF that part Of the empire.
Coming to the causes which operate to let In
foreign goods. no small part OF the blame II laid
by the colonies at the door OF the Merchandise
Marks act. Primarily the displacement Is APP
parent rather than real. But II colonial mcr
chant goes to a foreign house for one particular
brand Of goods. 1t obviously saves him trouble tC
order other goods at the same time. and so trade
goes away from the British merchant Then thc
foreigner can nd does produce n cheaper article
The finish, too, independent of quality Is fai
greater than that OF the British goods The for
eigner gives an attractive finish to u low-clas'
commodity, while the Britsher keeps finish fol
the better ware. The South Australian repor
proves that the Ret-up OF the choap German
apparel is superior to anything exported by
British house. The cheap firearms ana sport
ing guns OF Belgium are very different LOOKING
things from the cheaper British guns Ameri
can tools are conspicuous for their finish; tn
English are not. 1t 10 generally admitted tina
the foreigner possesses greater enterprise thai
his British rival. The former takes trouble +