3 68 



PAPER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



States. With the development of the country and gradual disap- 

 pearance of illiteracy, the consumption of paper may be expected to 

 increase in volume from year to year, leading possibly, for reasons 

 stated, to the erection of factories. 



There is no firm in Ecuador which deals exclusively in paper, 

 but every jobber carries a stock. 



FREIGHT. 



Freight and duties being important factors in cost, light-weight 

 papers are preferred; duties are levied by gross weights in Ecua- 

 dorian custom-house. 



AMERICAN TRADE. 



As to what course the United States should pursue to build up 

 its exports to this district, I would repeat my oft-expressed sugges- 

 tions, to wit: Employment of competent commercial travelers; ex- 

 tension of reasonable credits; meeting requirements of buyers as far 

 as practicable; and, as regards this coast, pending the construction 

 of an isthmian canal, using every effort to effect a reduction in 

 enormous freight rates now charged. 



IMPORTS. 



Importers say that American papers can compete with European, 

 but higher freights leave a smaller margin of profit. 



Imports of paper into Ecuador. 



NOTE. There are no ad valorem duties exacted in the Ecuadorian customs. All duties are col- 

 lected by weight; therefore, the invoice valuations given above may not be exact. 

 *$i silver=48.6 cents in United States currency. 



Duties on paper (in gold} per too pounds. 



For printing, packing, or wrapping $0.71 



For stamped paper 8. 87^ 



For writing paper 3. 55 



The last rate includes all the other classifications on the books of 

 the custom-house. 



