ENCOURAGEMENT OF LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Evening Star, Issue 3024, 29 October 1872, Page 2

ENCOURAGEMENT OF LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

The report of the joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament on the above subject has been published. The question of the development of the coalfields—a most important one to the Colony—is the first touched upon. A good deal of evidence has been taken, and though the Committee have every reason to entertain the most sanguine hopes of the ultimate success of this class of enterprise, they recommend that only a moderate amount of assistance should be granted, and that is only done with the view of ascertaining whether the production of coal can be continued on a large scale over a number of years. As the Brunner mines cannot be worked with any advantage without a railway to the port of shipment, the construction of such a railway Is recommended. Further explorations are a l so advised before any considerable expenditure is incurred in the establishment of a permanent place of shipment. Indeed the Committee generally recommend great caution in the way in which assistance is moted out, although they are of opinion that we ought very soon to not only supply our own wants but to become exporters of coal, Notwithstanding the spiritualistic declaration made to Mr Macandrew that New Zealand contains more gold than iron, the committee are oon» vinced that payable iron stone and oro exists in various parts of the Colony, and in view of the recent fluctuations in the iron market in Europe, they have no hesitation in recommending a bonus of L 5,000 on the production of LI,OOO is recommended for the production of the first 100 tons of steel from the titaniferous sand of Taranaki. The manufacture of beet-root sugar seems to be looked upon as a remote contingency, but the Committee repeat the recommendation of tlie Committee of last year, that a bonus of L 2,000 bo offered for the production of the first 250 tons of sugar manufactured from beet-root grown in the Colony, The Provincial Government of Otago are complimen tad upon their judicious line of action in developing the manufacture of woollens by bonuses. The success of the Mosgiel manufactory is taken as evidence that that industry is now thoroughly established. The increasing scarcity of paper making material in Europe convinces the Committee that the bonus at present offered should not be withdrawn. No hop s of any immediate and beneficial result from sericulture are anticipated, the Commitee thinking that the industry should be fluilt up gradually, though no doubt is entertained of it's possibility. One good effect of the bonus system is pointed out in the initiation of fish curing, and a recommendation is made that provision be made for meeting all claims for the bounty of 4s per cwt. on all exported fish in accordance with the recommendation made last year. As might be looked for, vaiious suggestions are made regarding the grwoth and preparation of fiax, amongst which are: the necessity for providing funds to c mplete the investigations now being carried on by Dr Church of the Royal Agricultural College of Cirencester, and that a sum be provided to insure the success of the cotppetive exhibition of flax dressing machines to be held within the next twelve months ; the experiment concerning the growth of cultivated fiax being made in this Province and that of Taranaki, is regarded favorably, and a small grant is recommended to meet part of the cost. The Committee deplore the wholesale destruction of flax through fire, which is constantly going on on the Crown lauds. It_ would appear from the paragraph referring to timber that we are deplorably ignorant of the strength and durability s£ the many varieties of our timber. At this particular juncture in our history, very little knowledge on this subject might save us thousands of expenditure; and the money recommended to be spent on obtaining that information by prosecuting the experiments now being made, will be well spent. The manufacture of hematite paint, lately developed in Nelson in a small way, is also regarded as an industry worthy of encouragement.