44 2 PAPER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



HOW TO EXTEND AMERICAN TRADE. 



The success of our paper manufacturers in the Australasian mar- 

 kets is another demonstration of the wisdom of resorting to special 

 efforts through special agencies when the introduction of special lines 

 is desired. As Scipio is said to have closed every speech with a 

 declaration that "Carthage must be destroyed," so, at the risk of 

 wearying by reiteration, I venture to use this opportunity to again 

 remind my commercial countrymen that in the introduction of any 

 special article or line of goods into Australia, a special investiga- 

 tion by a well-equipped person is necessary. Further, such lines 

 should be placed in the hands of agents on the ground, or of reliable 

 and well-established houses, familiar with Australian tastes, the de- 

 mands of the market, and the responsibility of the trade. 



Our paper trade in Australia has been conducted on high business 

 principles, and by the use of like methods several other staples of 

 American production could be as successfully introduced into this 

 country. 



It seems to me that we should increase our paper trade under 

 the head of "books and periodicals," and I am confident, with 

 proper effort, that we would have from one-third to one-half of the 

 $200,000 paid annually by New South Wales for fine and fancy 

 stationery. The quality of our goods in these lines is established, 

 but the price so far has been against us. 



Unless there should be some radical fiscal change, there is little 

 likelihood of an increased production of paper in this colony, and, 

 as the consumption will probably grow with the population and 

 prosperity of the people, the field for our manufacturers, of course, 

 is gradually expanding. 



I know of no manufactories of any kind in this country using 

 wood pulp as a raw material, or making articles from any class of 

 paper. 



TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 



In the matter of transportation, all of our competitors have the 

 advantage both in rates and frequency of communication. At least 

 one steamer per week arrives in the port of Sydney from England, 

 and one as often from Germany; while from the United States, 

 steamers leave New York and San Francisco for Sydney but once a 

 month or, to be more accurate, one per month from New York and 

 one in four weeks from the Pacific port. Freights from Europe are 

 on an average very materially lower than from American ports. 



GEO. W. BELL, 



SYDNEY, March 10, 1899. Consul. 



