THE IMPORT TRADE. 6 1 



average. Dates arc sold at 1|(L as against a cost of 10s. Gd. (f.o.l)., 

 London), but on tlie better classes of dessert fruit the margin is slightly 

 better. It Avas generally expected that the irrigation schemes which 

 have been floated at Mildura and elsewhere would have resulted in the 

 heavy production of colonial dried fruit, but so far the ventures have 

 not had any appreciable effect on the local market. America has l^ecn 

 the only rival to Southern h]uropc who may bo regarded as liavin" 

 appropriated any of the Australian trade, and business with the United 

 States in all kinds of fruits is certainly on the increase. 



The reduction in the price of sugar, and the extension of orchard 

 farms throughout the Colony, has had a direct effect on the import of 

 jams and preserves, more especially in the better classes of goods, 

 which have made severe inroads into the volume of business with the 

 United Kingdom, and with a liberal supply of these goods at 5s. per 

 dozen for reputed 1 K. tins, and 6s. 6d, for English lipped glass jars, 

 local manufacturers have a pretty good hold of the trade. AVhat 

 importation is done lies between Tasmania and Victoria, with a 

 moderate contribution from South Australia, and the balance from the 

 United Kingdom, while the bulk of exports go to Queensland and the 

 Pacific Islands. 



Oil-stores. 



The import of pickles and condiments has suffered with increased 

 local production of a better article at a lower price, while potted meats 

 have been slightly influenced in a similar manner. The extension of 

 dairy farming has had no visible effect on the importation of condensed 

 milk, for which there is an ever-increasing demand, especially in the 

 droughty areas of this and the northern colony. Several efforts have 

 been made to produce this article locally, but, on the principle " that the 

 imported article must be the best," consumers have not taken kindly to 

 the local production, notwithstanding its superior quality and lower 

 price, which is 5s. 9d. per dozen, as against Gs. 3d. for the imported 

 article (Id. per B. duty paid). It is worthy of note that a large quan- 

 tity of pickles and sauces are put up locally, which are represented 

 as English or Eastern pack, and the attractive get-up of these goods 

 has given them extensive sale. No doubt the advent of freetrade wdl 

 have a salutary effect on trade in these items. Despite such unde- 

 sirable competition, the import of reputable brands of condiments 

 has held its own fairly well, and for pickles worth from 5s. to (say) ^')->. 

 per dozen laid down cost there is an active demand. Business m 

 starch has been chiefly confined to the United Kingdom and the 

 Continent, on a basis of about £25 per ton cost. Local manufacture 

 has not been attended with much success, although a good deal of 

 cornflour has been produced on the spot. America, England, and the 

 southern colonies have contributed liberally to the sup])ly cf iancy 

 and special kinds of soap, in addition to extensive manuJactures ot 

 commoner descriptions on the spot, so that prices have been pretty well 

 levelled to their present limit of 12s. Gd. to 13s. per cwt. for the latter 

 Preserved fish, especially tinned varieties, have had a good deal ot 



