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Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 31, 5 August 1867, Page 3

The following interesting article is extracted from'the “Australian News:”—“lt is a fact assuring as to the future prosperity of the colony that there are at present in Melbourne and its suburbs many thousands of persons employed in pursuits in which until lately it was almost invariably remarked that we could never compete with the old countries. A visit to Heymanson’s clothing factory, in Elizabethstreet, will produce conviction as to the substantial progress which is being made in native industry. Mr Heyraanson commenced operations in June, 1865, four months subsequent to the initiation of our first protective experiment in’tne tariff, brought in that year. The firm now expends £40,000 in piece goods and material, and produces manufactured articles worth £75,000. Thirty-six men are employed on the premises, whose wages have averaged during the two years of manufacture 48s 6d to 51s per week; over 200 women and girls at 16s 9d. Mr Heymanson being asked regarding the effect of the work upon the character of the workpeople, replied that “it had been more conductive in regulating the morals of the people, than anything he knew of. He had been in manufactories in England and France, and was therefore capable of judging ; and gentlemen who had visited the establishment which he managed had expessed their surprise at the extreme decorum and the good behaviour of the workpeople. Out of thirty-six men in their employ, there was not one drunkard in the house. The people also were cleanly, as far as the appearance went, and he knew of some fifteen or sixteen who had become freeholders." The total amount of clothing made up in Melbourne is estimated at a quarter of a million sterling per annum, exclusive of the production of the mastertailors. The destination of these goods is not less important than the amount. Fully onethird find a market in the southern hemisphere and especially in New Zealand.