COLONIAL INDUSTRIES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 17, 20 May 1871, Page 11

COLONIAL INDUSTRIES.

Maky of our readers are perhaps not aware that in the last session of the General Assembly a joint committee of the two Houses was appointed to inquire what steps should be taken to ascertain and develop the producing and manufacturing interests of the colony. A committee of the kind sat for some time, and collected some valuable information. The subject, however, was so comprehensive, and opened up so extensive a field of inquiry, that under no circumstances would it have been possible for the committee to do full justice to it within the limits of an ordinary session of Parliament. They could only indicate, after taking such evidence as was available, the direction they thought legislation should take with a view to developing the industrial resources of the colony. The report of this committee, signed G. M. Waterhouse, chairmain, is now before us. It contains many valuable suggestions and recommendations, in the whole of which we agree. Their six first suggestions have reference to the mineral resources of the colony, which are based chiefly on the valuable evidence of Dr Hector, which, we are glad to see is appended to the report. Their seventh suggestion relates to the desirability of planting timber in the treeless regions of the Middle Island, which would not only afford shelter, but might furnish bark for tanning purposes. The two next suggestions refer to the interesting question of

sericulture, which may become here, as in California, a profitable industry. They then come to the subject of protection, and they unhesitatingly assert and the evidence appended bears them out in the assertion, “ That there are many industrial pursuits peculiarly adapted to the colony which might be introduced with advantage, and would become sources of wealth to the colony, if adequately protected during the period of infancy.” These, when once thoroughly established, would be selfsupporting, and cease to require the fostering aid of protective duties. At the same time they think there are some industrial pursuits that would be best promoted by the offer of a bonus on production. Amongst the articles deserving this particular encouragement they mention common glass bottles, printing and packing paper, woolpacks and cornsacks, scrim cloth, and beetroot sugar and syrup. To develop the manufacture of fine flannels and cloths they suggest the introduction of small colonies of Welshmen and Yorkshire men, acquainted with these processes, the colony paying their passages, and atterwards granting them farms in fee simple, subject only to their maunfacturing certain specified quantities of flannel of cloth. We trust that another session will not be allowed to pass without some attempt being made for the introduction and establishment of these colonies. It will prove a better mode of creating a home market for farm produce than any other that could be devised. It will hereafter furnish means for the employment of the surplus activity and time of our sons and daughters now wasted in equestrian exercises, or novel reading. The committee make other recommendations, the chief of which refers to the importance of providing means for affording to the youth of the colony the opportunity of obtaining technical education. The evidence given by Dr Hector on this subject is very interesting. That given by the same gentleman on our mines and minerals affords abundant proof of the vast natural resources of the colony, while it establishes the insufficiency of the efforts which have been hitherto made to develop them. This insufficiency arises exclusively from the want of capital and labor, which points out the necessity for carrying into effect the railway immigration and public works policy of the Ministry. A large addition to the population, and improved means of communication and transport are the primary requisites to the development ef the industrial resources of New Zealand, and the absolute necessity for both is plainly shown by the evidence taken by the committee. In fact this evidence shows as much the desirability of carrying into effect the Ministerial policy, at the earliest possible date, as it does for legislative action in the establishment of new industries ; and had that policy not already been sanctioned by Parliament it would only have required a careful perusal of this evidence to have insured its adoption. Believing that it is only necessary for the rich natural resources of the colony to become known, to enable the Government to secure ample means, on the best terms, for their development, we intend, in future issue, to publish some of the most interesting facts contained in the evidence laid before this Colonial Industries Committee.