The Hastings Standard Published Daily. TUESDAY, DEC. 15, 1896. WOOLLEN MILLS FOR HASTINGS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 197, 15 December 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

TUESDAY, DEC. 15, 1896. WOOLLEN MILLS FOR HASTINGS.

For the cause that lacks assistance, l-"nr the uTnnKs that need resistance, l-'nr the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

The above question appears to he attracting the attention of the public, and there seems a likelihood of the agitation for the establishment of woollen mills being again revived and with practical results. A correspondent, writing in our issue of yesterday, pointed out the decided revival in business that had taken plae<; in one town in particular through the introduction of woollen mills. The Kaiapoi factory has had a successful career, and bids fair to outrival factories that were established before it, and this is mainly due*to the fact that the institution has been managed by local business men, who have had the interest of the town at heart. True it is that the shareholders received very little in dividends for a number of years, but then the initial difficulties inseparable from a new industry had to be surmounted, and, to compete with foreign importers, the directors had to procure the latest machinery. That the factory is one of the most successful institutions in the colony is demonstrated by the consistent manner in which dividends have been paid of late years. Mosgiel, although not locally managed, has progressed satisfactorily, although not to the same extent. Both the Roslyii and Petone mills show splendid records. It cannot- be said that Hastings is by any means in a languishing state, but- it must bo acknowledged that a large number of our youth have been compelled to seek fresh fields and partures new, and at the present time there is no apparent outlet for the large number of children that are growing up amongst us. It should be the desire of every parent to find the means of useful occupation for his children, and, in the opening of woollen mills, it must be taken into consideration the fresh avenues of employment that would be created. Other industries are bound to follow in its wake, business places will increase, and establishments be enlarged. This has been the case elsewhere, and there seems to be no possible reason why Hastings would not have a sixoi-

lar experience—situated as the town is in the centre of about the finest wool-producing district in the country. As our correspondent pointed out, the land cannot provide employment for all. The unsuitability of numbers of people to become tillers of the soil is well known, and unless manufacturing industries are established our children must be driven to find employment in other, quarters. The company which has been registered in the Bruce district has made a start with £IOOO capital, and it is beginnings of this character that ultimately load to success. From a monetary point of view, the Hawke's IJay district should have no trouble in providing the wherewithal for the inaugural movement, and it only requires that the matter be taken up in earnest to ensure of it being carried to a successful conclusion. The enhancing of the value of property should induce business people to think of this matter seriously, and we feel satisfied that the working classes are quite prepared to assist a movement that will be the means of providing work for their children.