THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1881. FOSTERING LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2237, 3 June 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1881. FOSTERING LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

It is amusing to notice the peculiar ideas which the generality of people entertain as to the lengths to which the Government should go in fostering what are known as local industries. No sooner does a Minister put in an appearance than he is waited on by a number of in- ! dividuals, all anxious to get a share of the public funds towards fostering his peculiar industry. There can be no doubt that, under a judicious system of benus on results, making the payment depend upon the production of a certain quantity of some article which will utilise our local products, much good maybe done. An industry struggling forth into existence which yet may prove of value in the development ot the resources of the country may be firmly established by such timely aid. But the wholesale coddling, the looking up to the Government at every turn in the light of a parent to be drawn upon when necessity requires, is to our mind a most vicious and harmful principle. It destroys the self-dependence in a people, and renders them what may be called simply waiters upon Providence. An industry thus supported may for a time flourish, but the end is bound to come, and its fall is certain. Not so with the one where simply a payment for results is made. This acts as a stimulus and support whilst in its infancy. In order to entitle the person working it to any share in the public funds, it must be proved incontestably that certain progress —unaided, be it remarked, by Government money up to that point—has been made. This limit is generally so fixed as to be a test, not alone of the bond fides of the individual, but also as to the stability and prospect of success as regards the industry itself. But this does not appear to be sufficient for some people. They desire to see Protection in its most rampent form exist. A notable instance of this occurred only yesterday, when a deputation waited on the Premier. Their mission was to obtain a reduction of the railway carriage rate on sand from Kaiapoi; that is, a particular deposit of sand much used in building. The person who has been working the deposit, with a frankness and naivette which, however, somewhat damaged his case, said that he thought he had got a good thing. But at a gravel pit some miles nearer town sand was washed and used for building purposes, and the owners of this pit were enabled, through having to pay a smaller carriage, being closer to town, to successfully compete with our friend. As is the manner of people, he flew to the Government for relief. This sand was highly spoken of, was very good for building, &c, but the burden of his lay was this, that the Government should protect him by reducing his rate of carriage, and thus enabling him to undersell or compete with his rival. Here is protection with a vengeance. Let us follow this out to its logical conclusion. A, who resides in Ashburton, brews far better beer than B, who lives, we will say, at Biccarton. Both desire to compete in the Christchurch market, and have to use the railway. A, of course, living the greatest distance from the market, has to pay the most railway carriage. But would anyone in his senses think for a moment that the Government would be justified in reducing the carriage charged to A in order that he may successfully compete with B P Yet this is in effect what was wanted in regard to the Kaiapoi eand. It may be the very finest

in the world, and it may be that the building trade wonld be glad to get it at a cheaper rate, but it is not a matter for Government protection or the expenditure of public money. As we have said, the principle of bonuses may have advantages, but once allow such a thing as asked for I yesterday, and the Government had better | at once adopt the role of universal parent and be prepared to expend large sums of money to benefit one man's trade as against another. We are staunch advocates for the legitimate encouragement of our local industries. It is by them and their establishment in our midst that we must hope to become a great nation. Their growth amongst us inculcates a useful and profitable lesson of independence and self-reliance, and as such, by all legitimate means, they should be assisted. That they have been the means of improving our condition and employing profitably a largo amount of surplus labour, we in Christchurch know well. But to nurse them up by a system ef indiscriminate Government patronage will bo to strangle them in their birth, and to make our people, not self-reliant, independent, and helpful, but sturdy beggars, urging their claims clamorously, and on every opportunity, with the Government of the day for a share of the public revenue to enable them to live and carry on their trade. Such a state of things would be neither more nor less than ruin, and wo feel sure that the most ardent supporter and champion of local industries would never wish to see it obtain in New Zealand.