THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1882. NEW INDUSTRIES.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2721, 29 December 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1882. NEW INDUSTRIES.

It certainly cannot be said that Now Zealanders are among the most enterprising people of the earth. They plod ahead in a good old-fashioned style, mostly pinning their faith to raising those raw products which Englishmen raise wherever they set foot in a country with a temperate climate. If they do take up now industries they do so in a very easy-going fashion. Among what may be called new lines here, wine, tobacco and European flax may he said to hold prominent places, but all three are being pushed forward with no very great amount of energy. And yet for all three onr climate and soil is eminently suited. Qontrasting what is done in New Zealand with the strides made in the United States, the different degrees of energy brought to bear by the two nations is at once apparent. Take, for instance, the wine trade. It is calculated that when the vintage of 1883 is completed in California it will be found that the quantity will double that which was produced in 1880. Silk raising has made immense strides there; raisins are produced in large quantities, and the inhabitants there are absolutely raising pine-apples and sending them to Sydney for sale. This reminds us of our jam industry. Long before this, considering our splendid facilities for raising fruit, New Zealand made Jam ought to have crushed English Jam out of the market. Lock again at oranges and lemons. There can ha no finer lemons than those grown in places in the North Island such as Tauranga, and yet they are absolutely rotting on the trees there, because nobody will take the trouble to supply the colony at largo with them. Our tobacco industry may be said to he nowhere, notwithstanding the heavy duty that favors its development. We pride ourselves on the establishment of certain manufactures in our midst, hut are apt to overlook the want of enterprise that retards the colony by confining its products to a limited range. Nor does the Government appear to be very much alive on this subject. It requires to be worked up considerably before it will stir, and it has to take time, with a view, wo presume, of fooling the public pnlfee on the subject. What transpired at last night’s meeting of the Industrial Association may serve to point this assertion. Mr. Jacobsen and Mr Ford both consider they have discovered diamonds in Canterbury. Tho question is whether the stones are diamonds.;

Professor Bickerton limits the spedmens giveu to him for analysis InMr. Jacobson somo years ago were not the real thing. BiC, generally speaking, it may be asserted that, nothing Las absolutely been proved either way. It is possible that such a large source of wealth as a diamond field is within the grasp of the colony. The Industrial Association apply to the Government for the promise of a bonus in case a payable diamond field is discovered. A chance of obtaining a substantial bonus would act as a stimulus to the searchers after these preckns stone. Original discoverers do not always fare well in tho general rush, and a little cash down is very handy, and a fair reward for a great boon bestowed on tho country. Tho prize that would fall to tho colony if a good field were discovered would be a large one, and a very handy one at the present juncture. The Government would apparently have the chance of gaining much and losing but little in offering the reward suggested. And yet the Government reply that they are not prepared to move in the matter, but that, if reasonable grounds wore shown for the belief in the existence of a diamond field, they would be prepared to consider the matter. Bat the alleged discoverers naturally wish for some promise to stimulate them in affording these reasonable grounds. “ Reasonable grounds ” is a very elasda expression, and tho promise of a reward when such are afforded is not likely to induce anybody to go very much out of his way. In point of fact the Association have been snubbed, and wo think foolishly. The Government have promised a bonus for the introduction of o triches, and yet the ostrich feather industry is entirely dependent on fashion. Diamonds on tho other hand have had a recognised value in all historical times, and the development of science rather increases than diminishes their value, by utilising them for many industrial purposes. It certainly was not a very go-ahead pro ceeding on tho part of the Go vemmeut not to jump at the proposal of the Association. Wo venture say that tho Governments of mos 1 ’ countries would have acceded at onco, because there is really nothing to lose, but everything to gain. Ouo gentleman at last night’s meeting said that probably the Government did not care to unsettle the public mind on the subject without undoubted evidence. It would seem, however, that tho very best way of settling tho question would be to nnsettlo the public mind, which would result, wo presume, in simulating enquiry. Tho general balance of commerce and Inc welfare of the country would not be likoly to suffer if a few people were to turn their attention to this matter. Really, if (Lis motive Las moved the Government, they aro altogofLor too fatherly. A little more “ go,” and a little less parent-vl gush, would bo advisable.