9 8 



PAPER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



This table is interesting, inasmuch as it indicates an important 

 falling off in the year 1897. Every effort is made to induce manu- 

 facturers and merchants to believe that the decrease is due to an 

 increased demand at home. The fact seems to be that other coun- 

 tries are beginning to manufacture for themselves. One fact found 

 in the table is very important, indicating, as it does, an enormous 

 export in writing and printing paper. In 1897, the imports of paper 

 amounted to 5,007 tons, worth $i, 356, 600. When one compares 

 these figures with those of the paper exports in 1897 (97,190 tons, 

 worth $17,374,000), it will be seen that the paper industry is a very 

 important branch of the Empire's export trade. 



It will interest our paper people to know that of the Empire's 

 exports, Europe takes a total 'of 49,837 tons, worth about $8,930,000, 

 divided as follows: 



Asia (Japan) took 3,467 tons, worth $428,400. 

 America took 10,391 tons, worth $2,546,600, divided chiefly as 

 follows : 



Only countries taking upwards of $119,000 worth have been put 

 down. Among others buying paper from the Empire are British 

 India, Australia, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay in fact, almost all the im- 

 portant South American countries. The falling off in 1897 is not be- 

 lieved to be an indication of a permanent loss in paper exports. 

 Statistics for the first six months of 1898, compared with those for a 

 like period of 1897, show an increase in the exports of papier-mache, 

 etc., from $11,090,800 to $11,759,580. Compared with the paper 

 exports of other countries, this Empire's position is one well worth 

 considering. In the year 1896, the latest for which I find data, this 



