THE GLOBE. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1785, 10 November 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1879.

Various associations‘connected with the forwarding of local industries are at present at work all over ’’New Zealand endeavoring to solve the difficult problem as to which is the best 'method whereby those industries may fee developed. It is difficult to overrate the importance of the subject. That a young country should be as independent of outside aid as possible, that it should -send into foreign countries as little as possible of its cash in exchange for articles that it might perhaps be well able to manufacture for itself, and that it should by the establishment of factories increase the population and the tax-producing powers of the country —these and others are selfpropositions. But at the same time it is necessary that great care should be exercised in the matter. The statistics connected with, and the results obtained by, a pure system of protection are not encouraging. Its champions are wont to point to America as the great example illustrating the wisdom of the theories they uphold. They conveniently burke the fact that the state of affairs to bo found in America is quite unique, that the country is more or less of a world in itself, and that it is ridiculous to compare its conditions with those obtaining in New Zealand. The state of trade in Victoria is ignored by these thick.andthin upholders of protection. The outcome there of protectionist theories is not such as the gentlemen alluded to care to ponder over. The whole question as affecting New Zealand is now engaging the serious attention of Parliament. We' may feel certain that the Committee engaged in sifting the question will bring to bear on it great energy, industry, and acumen, and that the -effect of its deliberations will bo useful in tho present juncture. But, nevertheless,: a feeling is growing up in the country that nothing less than a Boyal ‘Commission, empowered to thoroughly go 'into tho question during the recess, will be entire satisfactory. The mass of contradictory and conflicting reports that are sure to pour in will he each that >the possibility of evolving out of it any well defined principle will bo small indeed, seeing that tho operation has te be carried on during the hurry of a session. Every trade and industry in the colony will demand an equal claim to protection. It will be found hard indeed to deny to the one what is granted to the other. Privileges [will be asked for to the exclusion of the interests of grain growers and wool producers, and tho good of the body politic as a whole will be endangered. Colonial industries, if they are to be fostered, must be encouraged on some broad and general basis. Largo bodies are usually inert, small bodies are, as a rule, active. The 117 coach builders and wheelwrights of Christchurch have risen to tho emergency and have forwarded a petition to Wellington. If the Canterbury farmers were equally energetic they might possibly express audibly their wish to buy their waggons and buggies in the cheapest market; they might possibly object to using in all cases colonial leather if the leather trade is to bo protected, and to on. The numberless claims sent in to the committee will be confusing rather than guiding. A commission, having power to call for persons and papers, and with ample time to digest tho large amount of evidence that would flow in, would be able to present next session to the Government a report such as would guide them in framing a measure that would not only tend to foster our industries where it was possible to do so judiciously, but would take into consideration the larger interests of the country, and would view the question from a national standpoint, and not from a standpoint formed by the conflicting expressions of opinions of small bodies of manufacturers.