Mr. Little _first drew attention: o the fact that Australia will be in closer touch with the great Eastern markets than any of the great suppliers when the means of communication have been improved. Australia had not yet taken advantage of her geogtaphica] position, but she now had serious intentions of entering this market, to which and arrangements were being made for a full and scientific study of the field to be covered. Australia was very largely _unknown to the people of Obiu Amongst most Chinese, and maw foreigners, Australian products were little known. One of the first things to be done in the development of this hitherto neglected trade would be improvement of the means of communication between Australia and Chin proper. The steamship companies bad been approached on the subject of arranging sailings direct from Australia so as to obviate the difficulties and save the expense incurred in transhipment at Hongkong.
There were, of course, many expenses in connexion with bringing vessels to Shanghai. He had taken up the question of tonnage dues with the Inspector-General of Customs at Pekivg, and although it was a difficult thing to change it was not impossible, if the large steamship companies would take the matter in hand. They were prepared to bring ships here if there was sufficient cargo offering, but of course there must be trade from both directions to make it profitable, Smit Mvca ro Leary.
Continuing, Mr. Little referred to certain criticism of Australian commercial men. The only thing wrong with the Australian trader at present, Mr. Little affirmed, was that he did not understand conditions in the China market. He had much to learn with regard te climatic conditions, shipment, packing of goods, finance, ete., but they were prepared to fulfil all necessary conditions as soon as they knew what to do. "Tell us what to do, and we will do it," was their assurance. All countries trading with China had made mistakes im their early days, and Australia had had her lessons to learn, Mr. Little went on to describe arrangements for getting merchants of both countries in touch with each other, and said that everything possible would be done on this side and by the Federal Government to assist traders, Soup Lixety Propvcts.
In describing some of the merchandise which could be introduced here, Mr. Little mentioned dairy products, milk, hides and leather, sheep skins, rugs, wheat, tinned fruit and an abundance of fresh fruits, live stock (horses, milch cows, merino sheep), steel rails, hardware, drugs and toilet preparations, and a great variety of manufactured and semi-manufactured articles. He expressed the opinion that China was fast becoming a wool wearing country, and that to meet the need of the woollen mills which would be set up in Shanghai and other places, there was bound to be a great demand for Australian wool. He also made special reference to possibilities in the lumber trade, ireidentally mentioning that Australian sleepers had been found to be in excellent condition after 16 years' use in China as compared with from five to six years' "life" of other imported sleepers. As showing the perhaps unexpected variety of goods which Australia has to offer, Mr. Little announced that arrangements had been made with Messrs. Hal] & Holtz to give next week a special display of ladies' hats imported from Australia.
Following Mr. Little's address, those present inspected the display of goods, and_ information was given on @ number of inquiries,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.