Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1906-05-25
u. S. Trade With
British Australia

Washington, May 21-Trade between
the United States and British Austral-
asia in the fiscal year 1905 aggregated
thirty-eight million dollars, against
thirty-four and one-half millions in
the preceding year, thirty 1.-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 mill
lions. For nine months of the pres
ent fiscal 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 APP
proximates five millions, or slightly
in 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-ffths of the total area, is in the
South temperate zone, with popula-
ton, customs and institutions, and
therefore social requirements not dis
Z similar to those of the United States.
Agriculture and stock raising are the
most important industries, though the
mining of gold and copper has assum-
ed considerable proportions The val
ne OF the principal crops aggregated
IN 1900 about 125 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 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 supply all
domestic demands and leave con-
siderable surplus for expectation.
Australasia is the largest wool pro-
Queer in the world, her production In
1900. according to the reports of the
National Association Of Wool Manu-
facturers, being $40 million pounds,
against 370 millions for Argentina,
361 millions for Russia, 290 millions
{ for the United States, lao millions for
the United Kingdom, 104 millions for
France, 10S millions for Spain, 100
millions for the British South African
colonies, and SO millions for Uruguay.
The latest available statement Of live
stock in Australasia reports sheep, 81
miHions cattle, IL millions; horses,
s 2 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 It's inn
portance to American producers rests
largely, for the present at least, In its
value as market for manufactured
products and as a source OF supply
for certain manufacturers materials
not produced in the United States ia