Colonial Industries Commission

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3632, 17 August 1880, Page 2

Colonial Industries Commission

The report of the Colonial Industries Commission is to the effect that the present tariff is protective though inequitably affecting artificial advantages to particular industries. Great caution is recotn mended in changing the customs tariff except for revenue purposes. Further examination re gold, coal, iron, timber, and other resources of the West Coast are recommended. The Commissioners find that tobacco, equal to the finest American, can be grown in New Zealand; but, if the Customs Revenue is of para* mount importance, the growth of tobacco ought to be prohibited. The recommendations of the Committee are to pro* mote experimental sugar growing by a rebate off the duty of sugar used in the manufacture of fruits and preserves? and by bonuses for the manufacture of linseed and starch. Encouragement should also be offered to grow olives and mulberries, and the introduction of- bees, to fertilise clover and for the production of honey, deserves encouragement. The use of wood for fuel on railways passing through forests is suggested, and the duty on coal deprecated. Government should hasten the progress of the coal industry. Clause four advises the employment of females. The woollen industry needs no artificial aid. The Commissioners further recommend a low rate of railway charges for earthenware, and the remission of the duty on sewing machines, silks, and threads. The exemp tioa of the saffron used by tanners is also advised, and the admission, duty free, of wrought hickory spokes for the encouragement of local carriage building. The smelting of iron ore or sand is premature. A protective duiy on jewellery is not recommended. A bonus is recommended for the manufacture of cements. The remission of the duty on bookbinders' leather, ruling inks, and other articles used in the trade, is suggested; and local tenders for Government use recommended. Also, bonuses for the manufacture of sulphuric acid and sugar refineries; fifty per cent, on the value realised for first £100 worth of cocoons. The Commissioner offers suggestions for the removal of anomalies in the tariff for the better division and adjustment of the schedules of articles required by Fublie Works Department, also, that local manufac turers encourage an enquiry into the working of the patent laws undertaken to obviate the present unsatisfactory cost, delay, and trouble. A careful enquiry is proposed into the practibility of developing technical education. On the question of bonuses, the commission think the strongest inducement to enterprise would be a guarantee of five per cent, on the outlay for four, five or six years, according to the nature of the undertaking. They concur in .the opinion that a uniform standard of weights and measures for grain and flour should be established by law, and direct public attention to the provision in Special Partnership Act of 1858, and Partnership Amendment Act, 1866, under which capitalists can share the profits of the undertaking with a limited liability bei g restricted to a. working partner.—'Star.