6 - TASMANIAN SCHOOL OF 



produce, and the ultimate ruin of your fruit trade, now- 

 valued at the export worth of nearly £300,000. 



Commercial history is full of examples, dating from the 

 most ancient periods up to the present time, showing how 

 some of the most flourishing trades and markets have been 

 lost or destroyed by negligence, ignorance, or dishonest 

 dealing, and the following extract from Mr. Neville Edwards' 

 interesting " Story of China " shows with what disastrous 

 results a simila,r policy in the once important tea trade of 

 China has ended. ''In Tea from China," he say?— " The 

 falling off in our purchases has been enormous. The Chinese 

 have injured the reputation of their tea by re-colouring old- 

 used tea leaves. It took a long time to knock this idea into 

 our heads, but now having once got that idea, it will take 

 an equally long time to regain our confidence." Substitute 

 •'Tasmania" for "China," "fruit" for "tea," and '.'in- 

 ferior shipments " for " re-coloured tea leaves," and we have 

 a timely warning of what may and will happen to your own 

 fruit trade unless precautionary measures be immediately 

 taken to prevent such a catastrophe. 



In regard to your timber industry, the foregoing obser- 

 vations relative to the loss of a valuable market can only 

 be applied in a limited degree, as you have not, unfortu- 

 nately, as yet, got any market worthy of the name to lose. 

 Why this should be so is a question which ought to occupy 

 your most serious attention. It may be, and most likely 

 is the case, that the small quantities you have exported 

 have been of inferior quality, or not properly prepared, 

 chosen, or suited for the work for which it was intended. 

 Another reason, no doubt, is that no energetic means have 

 ever been taken to bring the good qualities of your timber 

 for construction works, paving, furniture, &c., to the know- 

 ledge of the foreign consumer, and no really business-like 

 efforts made to establish a market for the disposal of 3'our 

 wood produce. Whatever the reason may be, it is more 

 than time that a proper remedy be applied. So-called 

 remedies have been proposed in abundance, such as — experts 

 to examine the cases of fruit before shipment; experts to 

 find out real, or invent imaginary, pests ; experts to see that 

 your fruit is properly packed ; Agents-General to tell you 

 that you are ruining your markets ; bailiffs in your forests 

 to prevent your destroying and burning your own property 

 and your best timber; experts to see that the wood is of 

 good quality, and properly seasoned and prepared before 

 shipment, &c. Of course, as usual, it is expected that all 

 these people are to be paid by Government, in order to 



