ESSAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1926, Page 1

ESSAY.

SECOND PRIZE. “The Seconday .Industries of New Zealand and possiblo application to AYcstland.” —-Nora, do plume “Aorangi.’’

In a recent address at Wellington the Hon. William Pcniber Reeves, author of the “Long AYliite Cloud,” stated that unless New Zealand foster hoc manufacturing interests she would, in a short time, find herself in dire straits.

As one passes along the avenues in the New Zealand Secondary Industries Court in the Dunedin Exhibition his amazement knows no bounds; and liis feelings become feelings of pride as bo thinks of the wonderful progress this country lias made- for such a short period of settlement.. There, in the beautifully arranged stalls, may be seen grand exhibits of jams, cordials, ropes and twines, furniture, sejaps, candles, biscuits, confectionery, panel' goods and porcelain ware manufactured in the Dominion.

New Zealand could, if she wished, bo a salf-supporting country. Her natural resources/ if they were developed, would gain for the country an extremely large credit balance, whereas, at the present time, her balance sheet shows a remarkable decline, .within thi> last few years. New Zealand has untold wealth in mineral resources and lacks only Hie will and capital to develop them; but if it were found possible to do this, she would not have to depend on loreign countries for her pottery, glassware, porooilafn, copper, sulphur, marble or chemical productions. Although tho Dominion produces largo qu'autiics of frozen meat and wool, Hie secondary products from her freezing works could lie increased in both quantity and variety. Gum, manures, oils, fats and 'bone-dust could lie produced in large quantities for export. New Zealand has made some advancement in tlie direction of her secondary industries. In the larger towns of the Dominion there are factories for the production of biscuits and confectionery, boots and shoes, preserved fruits, sashes, doors, .furniture and woollen goods. It is a iomarljable tiling to find that, ill most cases, the capital used was chiefly obtained within this country. If cheap power were made available, however, the product could be manufactured more cheaply than hitherto possible. One of tho necessities of such a young manufacturing country as this is a Protective Tnrilf thus enabling the manufacturers to compete more successfully against foreign competition. New Zealand is indeed fortunate in' having within its boundaries a province which, if capital wore available, would become one of the most important districts in New Zealand—AVestl'.iiul, tlie Land of Golden Opportunity wherein lie fortunes lor enterprising investors.

The resources of this province arc both wide and varied, hut the staple export at the present day is timber. Mr A. J. liarrop in bis delightful book, ‘“The Romance of AVcstland’” remarked, “AVcstland is especially rich in timber. New Zealnnd woods in their general character resemble tlie growths of Tasmania and Australia, most of them being harder, heavier, and more difficult to work than the majority of the timbers of Europe and North America. Many varieties are exceedingly hard, very beautiful in grain, and valuable for manufacturing and building purposes. The totara, black birch, kowhai. kaliikatoa (white pine) and rimli (red pine) are held in most esteem. These are found all over ilie West Coast.”

Tlio secondary industries arc not so widely developed in Westland as in oilier parts of New Zealand. The present day industries are timlicr manufacturing, brick making and whitebait canning in season. The scope of the secondary industries will be increased when capital is available. In the Hokitika. Museum there is 01l exhibition a fine display of minerals found in Westland. These include coal, iron, gold, copper, lime, silver, lead, platinum and graphite, lithographic stone and marble. It is interesting to note that Westland marble successfully competed against Carrara marble in the Sydney and Cliristclmrch Exhibitions. [.'com coal. gas. coke, tar, phenols, benzols and cresols could be obtained; from iron, steel could ho produced : lithographic stone could be exported for printing purposes; and from graphite: pencils could he manufactured. Westland is a country of womleriul possibilities. It the Toaroha Canyon, at the headwaters of the Hokitika .River, were utilised to generate electric power, Westland could produce soaps, candles, sashes, doors, furniture, boxes, paper, bacon, flax products, lime, boots and shoes, copper articles, and timber more cheaply than any other part of the Dominion. Even cotton, which could he obtained from Queensland, could he manufactmed .it a very low cost. The possibilities could he- realised if the capital were forthcoming and the slogan “Buy New Zealand Made Goods,” were adhered to.