45 



Commercial Relations. 



By R. L. Nash, 



A FrcUminary Comparison. 



New South Wales lias for some years past carried on a more cxtoiulcd 

 commerce with tlie motlier country and with the world in general than 

 any other Australasian Colony. This was the case even while the 

 population of Victoria outnumbered that of New South Wales, and 

 while the people of Melbourne considerably exceeded those of Sydney 

 and Newcastle combined. But now, when this is the most pojjuhnis 

 Colony, and when Sydney is the most wealthy ca])ital, the su]iremaey 

 of New South Wales, both as a producer for the outside world and as 

 an importer, is clear and increasing. Her most steadily advauciug 

 rival is, probably, at the present time, Queensland, and as a producer 

 of beef, hides, tallow, sugar, and gold Queensland is a very worthy 

 rival. But the clear lead of New South Wales in the total volume of 

 trade is indisputable, and will, I doubt not, be amply maintained until 

 Federation shall wipe away these trading distinctions. 



It is not the purpose of these pages to institute detailed comparisons 

 with neighbouring colonies, but the change referred to has been going 

 on gradually for years, and now that New South Wales has definitely 

 determined upon the freest of free-trade in all her ports, it may be 

 expected to develop in a yet more marked degree. The following 

 figures show the expansion of external trade over a period of years of 

 all the seven Colonies in the Australasian group; but, as will so.m 

 appear, the returns are open to some very material qualifications. 



Imports. 



