COTTON TEXTILES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 159 



of its trade. Persistent and intelligent efforts are certain to be ulti- 

 mately crowned with success. 



The uniform import duty on all cotton goods is 8 per cent, ad valorem. 



ERHARD BISSINGER, 



Consul. 

 UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Beirut, July 31, 1889. 



AUSTRALASIA. 

 FIJI. 



REPORT BY COMMERCIAL AGENT ST. JOHN. 

 QUALITY AND KIND. 



The cotton goods that are most imported and used here are of an 

 inferior grade and poor quality, being used principally by the natives 

 for their scanty dress (sulus). The kinds are mostly domestic prints, 

 sheeting and shirting (gray calico), in single and double widths. 



WEIGHT. 



The weight per yard is variable according to quality, but is purchased 

 exclusively by the yard and not by weight. 



HOW PURCHASED. 



Nearly all the merchants, I should say importers, purchase by sight 

 draft. A few, however, purchase upon thirty, sixty, and ninety days 

 sight draft. 



PLACE OF MANUFACTURE. 



The cotton goods used here are, practically speaking, all manufact- 

 ured at Manchester, England, and imported from London. A small 

 quantity of American sail cloth of the Mount Yernon and Kaven's Rock 

 brands is imported from New York. 



AMERICAN COTTONS IN FIJI. 



I will say that the importers here object to the package of American 

 sail cloth, for the reason that it is too loosely rolled, while the English 

 sail-cloth is more closely rolled and then subjected to heavy pressure, 

 making the package occupy as little space as possible. 



The reason for the preference of the English package is, that as 

 freights are paid for by the measured ton, the loosely rolled package 

 occupying the more space, pays the most freight and consequently in- 

 creases the cost to such an extent, consequent upon the long distance 



