THE Marlborough Express. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1869.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 197, 2 October 1869, Page 3

THE Marlborough Express.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1869.

“ Givb me tlie liberty to know, to utter, ami to prgne freely according to conscience, above all other liberties.' —.M ILTON.

We have frequently endeavored to direct the attention of our readers to the important advantages to be derived from the principles of Co-operation when applied to the production of material wealth. At the present time, when the people are beginning to feel the necessity of keeping the fruits of our labour in our own pockets—when statesmen in the Senate, and the Press, are everywhere pointing out and condemning the anomalous position in which we have so long existed—we feel it to be our duty, even at the risk of being tedious, to suggest what we believe to be the best means of raising capital for Manufacturing purposes. ( There appears just now to be almost a \mania for Flax Dressing, and while we are /among the foremost to rejoice at the developement of any Local Industry, as we have been to promote it, we are nevertheless inclined to fear that some of the isolated attempts may fail for the want of necessary capital to carry them through. We do not at present know of any particular venture to which these remarks would apply, our observations are general, and we shall be only too happy to find that our fears are groundless. But there are other Industries besides Flax dressing that must be established in our midst before we can become /a prosperous people. We must not stop at the mere production and export ot Flax and Wool; we must work up the raw material for ourselves, blankets, rugs, flannel, and woollen cloth can be made in New Zealand as well as in the Old Country; so too can woolpacks, sacking, cordage, &c. But to do these things properly and profitably, considerable capital is required for the purchase of machinery, and the of mills. We do not think there is much idle capital locked up in the Colonies, especially in New Zealand, consequently there are very few individuals who could embark in any extensive works upon their own responsibility. The formation of a Company would be the easiest and surest way ot raising the money, while the adoption of the Co-operative principle would secure the elements of success, and do away with the incentives to idleness, extravagance, and fraud. Everyone employed having an inindividual interest in the success of the

undertaking, beyond the mere receiving of a daily wage. The Co-operative system is spreading far and wide, in England, Scotland and France. Why should New Zealand be without its healthful influence 1 Co-operative Societies for the distribution of wealth, or in other words, the sale of the necessaries of life* would probably be difficult to establish here in opposition to the vested interests of private dealers. But in the production, the manufacturing of tiseful articles from the raw material, no impediment exists. Let us then bestir ourselves, and not be the last in the race. An excellent opportunity offers, one of our townsmen, well known and respected, proceeds to England in a few months. If a Company was formed at once, the necessary funds might be raised by the time he leaves, to purchase the necessary plant under his personal supervision. He could also engage such skilled labour as might be required, and the buildings requisite for the reception of the machinery could be erected during his absence in New Zealand. All this can be done if we like to try. Our plan is to issue the necessary number of shares at £1 each; make the calls Is. or Is 6d. per share per month ; let those who can afford it, take 100 shares if they like, at the same time giving the working men a chance to invest their sa* vings, and share in the prosperity that such undertakings must inevitably diffuse.

The Provincial Elections are to be held sooner than we anticipated when we last wrote. The Nomination day for Lower Wairau is fixed for Tuesday the 12th instant, at the Court-house, Blenheim, and the poll for the following Tuesday. Messrs. Eyes, C. Redwood, and Sinclair have announced themselves as candidates, and judging from a manifesto issued yesterday by the latter, there is every probability of a smart contest. The nomination for Blenheim is fixed for Wednesday the 13th at the same place, and the poll, if necessary, for the Wednesday following. A number of rumors have been floating about during the week, but we do not expect any opposition to the old members, Messrs Robinson and Dodson, both of whom have ably represented this constituency in the past. Messrs. Coulter, Paul, and F. J. Litchfield are in the field for Upper Wairau, and a contest is inevitable. Some uncertainty exists as to Wairau Valley, Mr Wemyss being incapacitated for sitting again while Crown Lands Commissioner by an Act passed last session, but Mr. Carter will be sure to be one, and Mr. Buckmau has been talked of for the other. Clarence makes no signs, and it is hard to say at present how matters will go there so far as Mr Ward is concerned. Mr. P. Mcßae is again a candidate for Awatere, and Mr. Beaumont is standing in Mr. A. P. Seymour’s place. Mr. G. Dodson is talked of for Tua Marina, but doubt exists as to his willingness At Havelock, many persons have been talked of, but no settled opinion seems to exist, unless it be Mr. C. Mills. We do not see why the late members should not again come forward, few districts having been better represented, or obtained more i y their •help, some -£T,GUO or £1,700 having been voted during the last year or two. They ought not to notice the recent meeting, of which we know some of the actors are already ashamed We have heard little reliable information as to Pictnn beyond the announcement of the no idnatio s for Tua Marina, on Thursday, October 19th, ana for Queen Charlotte’s Sound, on Monday, October 25th, for which seat Mr H. Seymour is spoken of ; that for Picton is not yet published. It is understood that the candidates will include Messrs. John Godfrey, A. P. Seymour, and Conolly, The Electors ought to seriously consider now what line of policy they wish carried out, and prepare accordingly tosupportthose who represent their wishes. The question of the day for them is neither the continued existence of Marlborough as a Province ; the seat of Government ; nor how far a protective policy for breadstuff's is necessary; these being questions for the next election to the House of Representatives. The question is the passing of a compulsory Roads Act, and the formation of Local Boards, so that communication may be opened and kept good between the various parts of the Province ; a sound Education Act, and a general re-modelling and reduction in departmental Expenditure.

it has occurred to us that while the New Provinces Act does not enable the people to choose their own Superintendent, but gives the privilege to the Council, it is possible for them virtually to do so by making this a hustings question. It would be a course entirely un-objectionable, at all events, especially as the Press this week raises a party cry of a presumed rivalry between the present Superintendent and Mr. Coulter. It is scarcely our place to direct attention to the good qualities of either of these, but we may remark that neither are strangers to office ; both have filled their respective departments with credit, while Mr, Eyes is the first Superintendent who has enjoyed the confidence of the Council for a whole term. Verbum sap.

? Thk Flax movement is progressing raf the Wairau. We hear that Messrs. Powick and Burroughs have commenced work with one of Mills’ Flax Machines, and are turning out a fair article. Mr. C. Murphy has received one of Price’s machines, which he purposes working by horse-power ; a sample lock very cleanly dressed lies at our office for inspection. Mr. Coleman has resumed operations this week ; he received an engine by the Falcon on Tuesday, and has two new machines in construction. Mr. R Thompson, of Renwick Road, is making a machine for his own use, and expects shortly to be at work. Messrs. Buckman, Bytheil, and M ason are busily Engaged in erecting a wheel at the Wairau Valley ; while Mr. Hathaway, who has imported machines from Otago of a new make, purposes commencing business about the 18th inst. j