The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-05-21

nSsVeAeteu freos 10 VAe 6ventnS T1meAs
Washington, May 21-Trade between
the United States and British Austral--
asia In the fiscal year 1905 aggregated
thirty-eight million dollars, against
thtrty-four and one-half millions in
the preceding year, thirty-two millions
In 1900, and fourteen millions in 1895,
Statistics compiled by the department
of commerce and labor through its
bureau Of statistics show that imports
from British Australasia have grown
from four and two-third million dol
lars In 1895 to>twelve millions in 1905,
and exports thereto In the same period
from nine millions to twenty-six mil
lions. For nine months of the pres-
ent hscal year the exports are about
two millions in excess of the same
months of last year.
The term British Australasia" as
used, includes Australia, Tasmania.
New Zealand and the Fiji islands, but
the commerce included under the term
Is chiefly that of Australia and New
Zealand. Australia has an area of
practically three million square miles.
or but little less than that of the
United States, and its population ap-
proXimates five millions, or SLIGHTLY
N excess of that of our country at the
beginning of our national existence,
While the northern portion lies with
In the tropics, the southern and more
populous section, representing about
three-fifths of the total area, is in the
South temperate zone, with popula-
ton, customs and institutions, and
therefore social requirements not dis
similar to those of the United States.
Agriculture and stock raising are the
most important industries, though the
mining OF gold and copper has ASSUME
ed considerable proportions. The val
ne OF the principal crops aggregated
IN 1900 about 1875 million dollars, wheat
being credited with thirty-one mill
ions, hay thirty millions, oats ten
millions, orchard and garden products
ten millions, potatoes six millions. and
corn cor. nearly six millions Of dollars.
wheat, wool and meats are the chief
productions. While certain sections
OF Australia do not produce wheat, the
production of other sections and of
New Zealand Is sufficient to SUNNY all
domestic demands and leave a con-
siderable surplus for expectation
Australasia is the largest wool pro-
Queer In the world, her production in
I90o, according to the reports of the
National Association of Wool Manu-
facturers, being $40 million pounds.
against $40 millions for Argentina.
S6l millions for Russia, 290 millions
lor the United States, 14O millions for
the United Kingdom, 104 millions for
france, lob millions for Spain, 100
millions for the British South African
colonies, and So millions for Uruguay
Inc latest available statement of live
stock in Australasia reports sheen. "a
millions; cattle, IL millions: horses.
= millions, and swine, million. This
brief analysis offers an explanation of
the relatively small value of agricul-
tural products exported to that section
OF the world and suggests that its i'm
portance to American producers rests
largely, for the present at least. in its
value as market, for manufactured
products and as a. sources'of supply
Tor certain manufacturers materials
not produced in the United States in
sumcient quantities to meet local re-
quirements.
The imports into the United States
from the Australian commonwealth
are chiefly raw wool, coal, gums, I'M
manufactured fibers, hides and skins,
1urs ana fur skins, sausage castings,
and block tin; these eight articles sup
plying fully 80 per cent of our total
imports from Australasia. Importa-
tons OF raw wool show an especially
large increase during the past decade.
their total for 1905 having been
$6,618,369, against $2,517,21O in 1904
and $1,S46,934 in 1895. Most of this
wool is of the class designated as
clothing" combing wool appearing in
the imports only at long intervals and
in negligible quantities, while practi-
cally no carpet wool is ever imported
from the Australian colonies. Imports
of bituminous coal from Australia.
chiefly for the Pacific coast, increased
from $512,651 in 1895 to 81 ,O94, 055 in
1914, but in 1905 receded to $434,92S.
the smallest total, with two excep-
tons, shown during the past decade.
Gums, chiefly copal, cowrie and dam
mar, show an increase in importations
OF over half a million dollars since
1898, the total for that year having
been $1.OS3,O35 and for 1905 $1,6S2,939.
Imports of manufactured fibers in
creased from $51 ,591 in 1895 to $1,O27,-
735 In 1905; those of hides and skins,
from $26S,525 in 1895 to $1,124,262 in
1905; undressed fur and fur skins.
from $S1,3S3 in 1895 to SAIL, sol in 1903
and $142,0S4 in 1905; and sausage
castings from $194, Ats in 1895 to s224.-
272 in 1905. Tin in bars, blocks, and
pigs shows marked decrease in i'm
ports from Australasia during the de-
cade. the value having declined from
$494,224 in 1895 to $176,681 in 1905.
Exports from the United States to
British Australasia include iron and
steel manufactures, refined mineral
oils, wood and its various manufac-
lures, tobacco and manufactures
thereof Chiefly plug, paper and paper
manufactures, fruits and nuts, agri-
cultural implements, fish, chemicals
(patent and preparatory medicines
forming q large share), cars and car
riages, clocks and watches, rosin and
turpentine, and many other articles of
lesser values ranging as high as $780,
900 each per annum. The statistics
OF our exports to Australia and New
Zealand disclose the preponderance
OF manufactures and the absence of
agricultural products in any consider
able quantities..
Comparing conditions in 1905 with
those of decade earlier, exports Of