Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1870.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 824, 22 September 1870, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1870.

Amongst the numerous committees of enquiry appointed (luring the late session of the General Assembly, one of the most important was that delegated by both Houses to enquire,— w What steps, if any, should be tal?en jbo ascertain and develop the producing and manufacturing interests, of the Colony.'' The report of this joint committee was brought up before the legislature on the sth of the present month, and published as a Parliamentary Paper. In this report the committee state that they found the subject of enquiry so comprehensive, and tjiat it opened up so extensive a field of enquiry, that it was impossible to do do full justice to it within the limits of an ordinary session of Parliament; and, further, that their other numerous and important duties prevented their devoting to it that continuous attention which its importance demands. They, however, took such evidence as was available on the spot, and agreed to certain suggestions as to the direction that, in their view, legislation should take in the matter.

The principal witness examined was Dr. Hector, who wan called several times during the five days over which his examination extended. He gave much important information respecting the geological formation of the islands; the gold-fields, and their need of a water supply; also concerning the other mineral riches of New Zealand, as coal, iron, copper, silver, tin, chrome, sulphur, &c, all of which is embodied in the minutes of evidence appended to the report ; and his statements, together with those of the other gentlemen examined, constitute a fund of information respecting these matters of considerable value to the Colon v. Of course the object of the Go yernment in the appointment of this committe was to procure evidence in support of the protective policy which was initiated during the past session, and which, we are told, will be brought forward again on a future occasion; but the principles of protective duties are not very favorably regarded in this report. Dr. Hector, when directly questioned on the .subject, said—" lam rather in favor of the system of premiums than any other method of inducing attention to special industries ; of course the market must exist, and proper means of communication be provided. The latter condition lies at the foundation of aU material progress in the Colony." Of the woollen ma nufactures of the Colony he said, — <* Woollen goods would probably be at first manufactured of better quality than those that are ordinarily imported ; and, in consequence, might cost more, and would labor under 3, disadvantage until their superior qualities were ascertained," " There is no reason why—-excepting the want of population and the obstacles attending the first introduction of a new industry in a new country—the Colony should not be independent of the majority of imported articles."

These opinions were adopted by the committee and embodied in their report, which rather 1 ©cornmends the system of bonuses than that of protective duties, "an indiscriminate system" which they say "is undesirable, and would be injurious to the Colony; still, they suggest that temporary protection should be exten4ed to certain specified manufactures, which, once thoroughly established, would be self-supporting, and cease to require the fostering aid of protective duties." These are, — tweeds, cloths, and coa.ise woollen goods; rope and cordage; soap, starch, leather, and - malt. They recommend the payment of a bonus of Is per dozen on the manufacture of the first 10,000 dozen glass bottles ; 10s per ream for the first 500 reams of packing, and 20s per ream for the first 500 reams of printing paper • Is 6d each for the fjxst 6,000 woolpacks; 6d each for the first £O,OOO corn-sacks; 6d per yard for the first 10,000 yards of scrim cloth; £lO per ton for the first 100 tons of beet root sugar; and £5 per tun for the first 50 tuns of syrup. They also recommend the introduction of small colonies of Welsh and York small farmers who are acquainted with the process of manufacture of fine flannels ami cloths, by the Colony paying their passages ancj afterwards giving them farms on their manufacturing specified quantities of flannel or cloth,