NATIVE INDUSTRIES COMMISSION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2020, 14 August 1880, Page 3

NATIVE INDUSTRIES COMMISSION.

[Br Tblegbaph.]

[fbom oub own cobbespondent.] WELLINGTON*, August, 13. Tho Repart of the Royal Commission on Colonial Industries was laid on the table last night too late to telegraph. As I mentioned some time ago its general purport, I now only give a summary of the general recommendations. The Commissioners recommend that bonuses be offered for the manufacture of linseed products in the colony, for the production of sugar and tho manufacture of starch. They advise a rebate on the duty on sugar used for fruit preserving. The tobacco industry was destroyed by the Tobacco Act, 1879, but they believe the manufacture of tobacco from imported leaf will yet assume considerable proportions. The cultivation of olives and mulberries, and the production of superior honey, the introduction of the Ligurian bees, particularly as a means of fertilising clover, the extension of agricultural improvement by drainage and irrigation, are all recommended to be encouraged. The use of wood for railway fuel in forest districts, and the granting of facilities to the coal industry are advised, but the Commission unanimously deprecate an import duty on coal. The woollen industry needs no artificial assistance, but tho Employment of Females Act is deemed unfair to the employed in some respects, and the repeal of clausa 4 (except as to the Saturday half-holiday) is suggested. The excessive oostof carrying goods to market is the chief drawbaok on the earthenware industry, and reduced railway charges are proposed. Tho remission of duty on sewing machine silk and thread and on saffron used by tanners is recommended as an aid to the leather industry. Forest conservation is strongly rdvisod, care being taken to avoid excessive cost in officials. The Commissioners hold that local manufacturers should receive every facility for supplying railway rolling stock when needed by the Government, and that hickory wheel spokes be admitted free of duty. The competition of the Government workshops is considered injurious to the metal trade, and all exemptions of corporate and other bodies from duty as importers of goods should be abolished to enable local manufacturer!) to compete with importers. Fisheries should be encouraged by lower railway freights, and permitting the fish trades to obtain ova from public waters at proper seasons. The smelting of iron ore or sand, or its conversion into steel, cannot yet be carried on profitably in New Zealand. The Commission do not recommend a prohibitive duty on imported jewellery, or an export duty on greenstone, as demanded by the manufacturing jewellers, as they do not approve of taxing the whole community, or restricting choice in works of art or luxury to make an artificial industry for which there is not a natural demand. To encourage the cement industry the Government should offer to purchase 100 tons of cement from any bona fide local manufacturer, subjeot to proper tests, and the price to be the market prioe of . the best Portland cement as delivered at the principal seaports of the colony. The bookbinding trade and the manufacture of account books should be encouraged by remitting the duty on bookbinders' leather, ruling inks, and other articles used in the trade, and by the Government inviting tenders for such articles as can be locally manufactured. The Commissioners suggest that a bonus should bo offered for the manufacture of sulphuric aoid, as the cost of (.the plant is very heavy; also for sugar refining and silk manufacture, the last to bo 50 per cent, on tho first £IOOO worth of cocoons produced in the colony, not less than £SO or more than £IOO being produced by any person. They suggest the removal of anomalies in the tariff, and the readjustment of the schedules of articles required by the Public Works department, in the direction of encouraging local manufactures. They recommend an enquiry into the working of the patent laws, and the development of technical education. In regard to bonuses, they think that a guarantee of 5 per cent, on the outlay for four, five, or six years, would bo the host form. They advocate uniform standards of weights and measures for grain and flour being established by law. They direct attention to the provisions of tho Special Partnerships Act, 1858, and the Partnerships Act, 1866, under which capitalißtß can Bhare the profits of an undertaking with limited liability to themselves, unlimited liability being restricted to the working partner. The effect ef the existing Customs tariff is distinctly, though inequitably, protective, as it affords artificial advantages to particular industries by limiting tho market of thoss who are dependent on them for supplies. They consider that there is every danger of the protection of one trade proving detrimental, if not positively restrictive, to others, and, therefore, recommend that groat caution should bo exercised in making changes in the Customs tariff, except for revenue purposes. They have not considered it necessary to make any inquiry into the position of the wool or grain growing industries, or those minor ones with which they are naturally associated. The Commissioners regret that want of time precluded their visiting localities where gold and coal mining industries are situated or are likely to come into existence. They recommend that, should the present inquiry be continued or any similar one instituted in future, that a thorough examination be made of the settlements on the West Coast of the Middle Island, with a view of ascertaining what aid can most effectively and advantageously be given by the Government to the production of gold, coal, iron, timber, and other valuable materials whioh are known to exist there in bounuless profusion, but under conditions of difficulty insuperable to a sparse population of limited means and appliances.