LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 1, Issue 41, 21 November 1868, Page 3

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times.) Sin, — Of all man's enterprises in this enterprising world first in importance is the rise and progress of a young settlement; it is from this, indeed, that all other enterprises spring. "With what interest did the first settlers in Otago regard the first fruits of the land ; and how grateful they were when they received the promise that, whatever country they fixed upon for their habitation, that wherever they tilled the ground, it would make a generous compensation. And how year after year they added to the bounds of the infant colony by indomitable and praiseworthy efforts to subdue nature and make it subservient to man's good. All this, even to make the beginning, was not done without many misgivings as to how it would pay, and what labour would have to be encountered before a return could be obtained; therefore it was with thankful hearts they received the first fruits of their increase. But for some considerable time everything had to be- imported; as time wore on, however, they were enabled to add one industry after another, when flour and other produce were supplied by themselves. We are left to wonder, after the lapse of twenty years, that more industries have not sprung up among us. Again, why is it that those local industries which are in existance are not more generally supported ? We have a dash of colonial patriotism every now and again, but it is as uncertain as the wind — as evanescent as a summer day at Tuapeka ; it is a mere hustings cry — dust thrown in the eyes of the public. " Local Industries" is an effervencence, something like a bottle of soda-water after a free indulgence in P. 8., the dose slightly modifying tho disease ; but it is not productive of any real good, in fact, half of the nonsense which we are obliged to hear on the subject is sheer bosh. Ido not blame the Grovernment; they cannot be expected to do everything, tied down as they are for the want of the needful. It rests with the people. No real colonist should buy anything from an importer which he can rear himself or obtain from a local manufacturer. No country can ever be great without manufacture. Our merchant princes are interested in importing ; and so long as they have the trading public under their thumb no great impetus will be given- .to local industries. I make these remarks in consequence of a local industry arising to supply us with good bacon and hams. This, beyond all question, is supplied ; and I know from experience that it is at least equal to the best brands imported, notwithstanding that the home-made article is .first class, and a shade cheaper than " Sinclair " or " Evey." Hear it, ye sham patriots of Otago : the Dunedin merchant offered sixpence per pound only, and at the very same time they were giving elevenpence half-penny and a shilling per pound for imported bacon. I bought a ham of this lot the other day (on the , diggings) for fourteenpence per pound, which for richness of flavour could not be excelled. Why should we not raise as much corn, and more, than we need. If the land laws were liberal, and immigration encouraged, we should be a large exporting country. Thik is lan excellent country for fruit, consequently we ought to produce all the preserves aud pickle^ wp require. W© have the finest clay in the world, which- ought to be available for the coa^ge*, sorts of crockery. A mill for

the manufacture of woollens will come as a matter of course. If we are to have grog and beer we should have it of our own manufacture, or do without it. I know, Mr. Editor, you favour local industries ; give the subject the benefit of your heavy influence. ~W€ > hope we have a freo press, unshackled by the merchant innaepee 7' if •• snch-Tir your case, pray let iis.-heafr from you' on the subject, which, if handled, in your usual style, must., have a^telTing. effect in pntthlg.down monopoly, and' in encouraging such industries as are mentioned above. lam not going to raise the old cry here — " Let us-ie-ind< spendent of foreigner's," ,for this, wo •shal never accompjish ;. but we^are, abl( to do.much more in producing our. nee 'ssariea than we are doing. . n. I< le'a^e the matter with— you and the public. — lamV&cr, Zl r .\ ""' Om>'VtTEß, P.IPEK. "We ;herstones Braeß, ' - ." ~ tfov. 18,1868. . ..'. „•