AUSTRALASIA : NEW SOUTH WALES. 



441 



stood. Under the latter head, it will be seen that 8,552 packages 

 are imported from the United Kingdom, valued at ^"110,898 ($540,- 

 172), while from the United States there were but 395 packages 

 imported, valued at ^5,200 ($25,306). This, however, is a little 

 misleading, as a portion of our "book-and-periodical " trade is via 

 London, and these are credited as imports from the United Kingdom. 



It is in "news paper and printing" that we have our best trade, 

 but the figures showing that 16,024 packages, valued at ^79,202 

 ($3 8 5>43 6 ), come from the United Kingdom, with 15,762, valued at but 

 ,59,679 ($290,428), from the United States, indicate that propor- 

 tionately the United Kingdom sends to this market more of the 

 higher grades, or book, and the United States more of the lower, or 

 news, paper. 



We have, however, steadily gained for several years. In the 

 years 1894-1898, the three leading competitors stood as follows in 

 these lines. For 1898 the returns are not published, but were fur- 

 nished at my request by Mr. Lockyer, chief of customs. 



It will be noticed by a casual study of the table that approxi- 

 mately three-fifths of the paper imported aside from that in pub- 

 lished form comes under the head of printing and news paper, and 

 our having so rapidly outstripped all competitors in so short a time is 

 very gratifying. To me, it is especially gratifying, as when I discov- 

 ered our relatively small trade over five years ago, relying on the 

 merits of our products, I strongly urged the policy which has resulted 

 in these splendid achievements. 



