COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL. 



1401 



being pre-eminently the greatest wool-producing country in the world. The country most 

 suitable for sheep has, no doubt, been now occupied, but the resources of Australia, as 

 a whole, are by no means fully developed, for in the Northern Territory of South 

 Australia, and in the northern part of Western Australia, there are large tracts of country 

 still to be occupied. The difficulties which have hitherto checked pastoral settlement on 

 these large areas are certain to be conquered, and the commerce of Australia will still 

 grow by the expansion of its original industry. 



Its next contribution to commerce has undoubtedly been its mineral treasure. The 



THE TRAVELLING HAWKER OF THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH. 



export of gold has been large, and though at present somewhat declining, will increase 

 again as scientific and economical mining developes it. Australia has already purchased a 

 great deal by what it has taken out of the bowels of the earth, and will continue for 

 very many years to pay in minerals for those products which for many years to come 

 the Old World will furnish to much greater advantage. 



Of agricultural exports there has not been much ; first, because the surplus has 

 always been slight ; and secondly, because the export price does not give the local 

 farmer very great encouragement. Wheat can be produced more cheaply elsewhere, and 

 at present there is not very much encouragement for producing breadstuffs for the 

 English market in competition with the growers in India, America and Southern Europe. 



Something has been done in the way of supplying animal food, but the shipments 



