THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1880. THE INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2136, 29 December 1880, Page 1

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1880. THE INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Feom the somewhat unaccountable apathy manifested by the public generally in the matter of supporting the Industrial Association we are led to the conclusion that there is no very clear idea o£ the amount of good work it is doing. Were it otherwise we uudoubtedly should see a very marked increase in the roll of membership. The fee is but nominal, and it certainly is matter both for surprise and regret that more of our leading citizens do not take a share in the work. The Association can be, and is to some extent, dissociated from politics, looking only to the one platform upon which all can meet, via., the advancement of the local industries of the colony and tho consequent improvement in tho general resources. This surely is a work worthy the doing and by some of our best men. Many of our citizens spend much valuable time aud money in connection with other institutions, and are zealous and indefatigable in their devotion to them. We have not a word to say against this. All we want to point out is that here in our midst is as association which is doing a great work, but yet which is not supported as it should be.

Let us now briefly call attention to some of the late work of the Association. As our readers are probably aware, efforts

are being made to utilise the materials j for cement found at Oxford, the trial of I ! which has turned out satisfactorily. But : the industry is a totally new one here. People are not—or at best but a few are —in possession of information which would enable them to decide respecting the manufacture. Here then the value of such an association as the one now under notice is apparent. A scientific paper on the subject is read at one of its meetings, which will give much valuable information to those in need of it. Then, again, with respect to the development of new industries under the auspices of the Association, at its last meeting two industries -which promise to develops into most important ones have been brought before the public. The first of these to which reference may be made is the starch manufactured by Messrs. Gourlay and Meyers. Those who saw the samples of local manufacture side by side with the best imported article can best say whother or not, except in one small matter easily remedied, the former did not compete successfully with the latter. The successful floating of such an industry as this would not only afford employment to a large amount of labor, but would enable us to utilize wheat which, under other circumstances, could not be placed in the market at all, because starch can be made equally as well from damaged as from sound grain. Another industry which has been brought forward by the Association is that of the manufacture of farina from potatoes. Without adhering to the figures of the writer of the paper read at the last meeting of the Association even, a discount upon them would give a very handsome margin of profit. The raw material we can produce in almost unlimited quantities, and our farmers will only be too glad to find a remunerative market for a product which has not always returned them much. Taking another branch of industry, the making of pickles, preserves; and jams, the Association are endeavoring to foster this, which might be made a most profitable manufacture. They have offered a bonus for the production of samples, and no doubt this will induce some one to go into the trade. The profits are large, and the facilities for production great, whilst an almost unlimited demand exists for the manufactured article. Lastly, the Association are now engaged in an experiment which, if successful, will have the most important effect upon the flax industry. "We allude to the fact that the refuse of the flax mills which is almost, if not quite, useless for any other purpose, has been found when tried on a small scale, eminently suited for paper-making. Should the larger trial now going on be successful, the Association will be the means of opening up a most remunerative trade with what is now considered as waste stuff. Taking all these facts into consideration —and these are but the salient points which strike one on a moment's reflection —the Association can fairly claim, and should be accorded, the practical support and encouragement of everyone having the interest of the colony at heart. By this means, if the general public lend a hand in the matter of becoming members, the sphere of usefulness of the Association will be largely increased, and if so much has been done by so small a body it follows that a far greater field of usefulness will be opened up when its ranks are augmented, as we hope shortly to see them.