The Evening Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2285, 2 September 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1870.

It must be evident that the principal duty of* Colonial Governments is to take measures to develop the material resources of the country. Colonists must be looked upon as joint adventurers in a large commercial scheme, each having a more or less valuable interest in it. "" This may sound very mone/rgrubbing—perhaps some gentlemen gifted with poetic contempt for

sordid wealth may pronounce the sentiment mercenary, low, Contracted, worldly. We cannot help it : Elie nest plus I’epoque de la grande epee — the days of chivalry are past; something move sober, more rational, has been substituted. Chivalry, with its blazoned heraldry, and false doctrines theological and social, has yielded place to theories more in sympathy with human necessities. The plough, the pick and the shovel are found to contribute more to man’s advancement and happiness than the sword. On these grounds it must be regretted that the Manufactures and Production Committee did not enter upon more exhaustive investigations than they appear to have considered necessary. The same fault is observable in their proceedings as marks the enquiries of the Provincial Council. Too few witnesses are examined, and the evidence drawn from each is not exhaustive.

This arises evidently from false notions of economy. Dr. Hector’s examination occupied the Committee four days. His attainments, and exclusive devotion to scientific investigation, justify the prominence given to his evidence ; but a perusal of it proves that justice has not been done to him. He was required to answer‘a number of questions on matters with which he must be imperfectly acquainted. The plain and self-evident inference, that persons conversant with the practice of Committees at Home and in the more advanced Colonies, after perusing the evidence would draw is, that it has been taken in a most primitive and clumsy style, through no shorthand writer having been employed. It could easily be shewn that this omission is a serious cost to the community, and a drawback to the value of the evidence itself. The four examinations of Dr. Hector might have been condensed into one of a single hour, with i-easons and explanations of many of his statements which it is impossible to record by any other means, and which in consequence are now lost to the community. He was examined respecting the mineral deposits of the country, its agricultural capabilities, the effects of forest planting, water 1 power, woollen manufactures, glass making, potteries, and protective duties. Now, giving Dr. Hector full credit for superiority of attainments in science, and freely conceding that there are general principles with which he is well acquainted to be observed in its profitable application to industrial development, there are specialties in each, which require pointing out by men acquainted with the arts, although perhaps ignorant of the science involved. But with a single excep tion—that of Mr Birch on brew-ing-.—no such practical evidence was called. Had the investigation been more searching the record of the evidence would have been a valuable document —a something for men seeking profitable investment for capital to ponder over. It would have pointed out the facilities as well as the difficulties in the way of establishing special industries. But as it stands, it bears the impress of a Committee packed for a special political object, and Dr Hector’s replies are marked with that caution that every servant of a Government is compelled to observe in regard to tlie powers .that be. We have not the report of the Committee before us, and therefore do not know whether they reported in favor of protection, as it is called—monopoly being its right name, on the principle of calling a spade a spade—but the impression is unavoidable that the Government wanted such a report to sustain their proposed alterations in the tariff. Superficial as the investigation was, the replies of Dr Hector are marked by sound knowledge and discretion. The following answers to the questions put point out essential conditions to the establishment of manufactures and the only mode of encouragement to them that can be adoptrd with justice to manufacturers and consumers :

Are there any particular measures that you would recommend with the view of promoting the manufacturing and industrial interests of the Colony ?—I am rather in favour of the system of premiums than any other method of inducing attention to special industries. Of course the market must exist, and proper means of internal communication must bo provided. The latter condition lies at the foundation of all material progress in the Colony. Are there any particular manufactures, in your opinion, which, with suitable protection in their infancy, would eventually be able to stand .alone and unprotected afterwards? —Woollen goods would probably be at first mamifactured of better quality than those that are ordinarily imported, and, in consequence might cost more, and would labour under a disadvantage in the market until their superior qualities were ascertained. This is a trying period in the introduction of any new industry. There is no reason why, excepting the want of population, and the obstacles which attend the first introduction of a new industry in a new country, the Colony should not be independent of the majority of imported articles.

What are the manufactures which, in your opinion, are now most adapted to the circumstances of the Colony ?—Woollen goods, and the using up of the collateral animal products, glue, leather, soap, preserved meat. These are obviously the class of industries that will turn to the best account

the greatest natural capabilities of the country, which arc in the direction of grazing. This country is more eminently adapted for grazing than perhaps any other country, and this is the direction in which the industrial resources should be developed.