The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1884. MR WAKEFIELD ON LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1186, 3 June 1884, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1884. MR WAKEFIELD ON LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Ax the opening of the Linseed Factory last Wednesday, Mr Wakefield boasted of the great interest he took in local industries, and of how he was Chairman of the Commission on Local Industrie?. Mr Wakefield was certainly Chairman of the Commission, and got well paid for it, but w)iat has he done ? Can he point out one industry started under his fostering care ? He was elected President of the Industrial Association of Timaru, but that association has died a natural death. He controls the columns of the Timaru Herald, but who has ever seen that paper promoting any local industry ? It gave some support to the Refrigerating Company after it was started, but it was because the '"big wigs" were interested. The Tinmru Woollen Factory, started by the poor working men of Timaru, is meered at, and because the Secretary neglected to advertise a meeting of the shareholders it refused to report the proceedings. Mr Wakefield has facts and figures and knowledge at his command. He gained them while Chairman of the Commission, and was well paid while collecting the information, but he makes no use of them. He studiously keepg them to himself. He has the advantages of a good social position, the control of the leading paper of South Canterbury, and natural abilities to push his views forward, and if- he tried he could assist in establishing industries in South Canterbury. But he has not tried, and he is not likely to, because his forte \% not building up but knocking down. He talks of constructive ability, but he does not possess it ; his ability is of the destructive kind, and destroy he will as long as he lives; Local industries owe no debt to Mr Wakefield, and they are not likely to unless he changes very much.