It is scarcely necessary for us to enter at length upon the various subjects so exhaustively discussed in the speech before us. We shall content ourselves with making only a brief reference to the main facta dis closed. As was stated in these columns some weeks ago the value of the ex ports of the colony up to June 30th indicate in the most striking manner progress in productive industry. Their value exceeds that of the preceding period by £1,773,953,, and nearly £2,000,000 over -the records of any previous year. An examination of the table printed in tbe report of Mr. Kate's speech shows that the in crease has not been due alone to the enhanced value of our principal pro ducts. Not only has the value in creased, there baa been a notable in crease in the quantity as well, • Wool shows an increase of 4,699,6411b; wheat, 2,878,751 buahelsVoats, 480,886 bushels; barley, 273,787 bushels; frozen meat ? 153,469ewt5; and so on nearly throughout the entire list. As regards wool, the figures are highly gratifying, inasmuch as for the twelve months ending March last there was a falling off as com pared with the previous year. It must also be borne in mind that our woollen mills absorbed over 4,000,0001b., or an increase of over 100 per cent, over previous returns. What Mr. Kate had to say on the production of, cross bred wool was most encouraging. Ho points out that the demand for this class of wool is likely to be even greater in the future than in the present, the United States becoming, probably, one of our best customers.
