LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1219, 22 April 1880, Page 2

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

In the course of a letter to the Bruce Herald, MrW. A. Murray, M.H.R; who is a member of the Royal Commission on the above, writes: — " Amongst thesnbjeuta under consideration by the Commissioners, uuder agricultural and pastoral, are — the export 01 butchers' meat, &c, preserved by the freezing or other process, improving the ,v»lue of agricultural and pastoral produce in general, and by increased facilities for more rapid and unrestricted economical communication with, the markets of the world. It is hoped that the Government of the United States of America may be induced to still further reduce the duty upon wool, and it is understood that a p jwerf ul firm is prepared, for a very moderate bonus, to establish a direct line of first-class steamers between this colony and Europe, which would carry passengers, mails, wool, farm produce, preserved meat, gold, &c. The cost to us of the P. and O. service, which this would save being nearly sxifficient to pay half of such bonus. It may be thought desirable to stimulate improvement in the quality : and productiou of stock, wool, grain, preserved meat, bacon, ham, butter, Cheese, wine, beer, hops, tobacco, preserved fish, &c, by the Government, in concert with local societies, offering Government prizes to be -competed for annually — first year, say at tfuuedin, second at Christchurch, third at Wellington, fourth at Auckland ; or, as to farm and dairy produce, &c, by an officialinspectoraffixing marksor brands as certificate of excellence, and awards of bonuses being made, for production or export, according "to merit. It has been stated that, withe ut increase in the numberof slxeep, or cost of production, the value of the wool by improvement in the bred of sheep, and in. getting up of the wool might in this colony be increased by upwards of a quarter of a million sterling annually. Can this loss not be avoided ? Again, we find that while farmers are trying to sell oats at Is or Is 6d per bushel, and no market at that, hams and bacon are scarce in Dunedin at , from 8d to Is per lb. V\ ith oats at such a price here, while quoted at 32s per 8 bushels in Britain, "and thousands of people starving shows a want of means and well-directed enterprise amongst colonists, which is disastrous to us all, and which, in the interests of humanity, and the prosperity .of the colony,' deserves earnest consideration, and prompt p and prudent action. Why, the steamers to which I have alluded, \rpuld, carry meat produce, &c, without iojiiry, .and grain aud oatmeal in bins, as safely as iii a granary. Though the profits of . the formers might not be large, they would h^ve an unlimited, ccr-_ tain, ,an 4 comparatively steady marte^T" which, with iiberal Jand administration, would encourage them to extend their improvements, their holidays, and the exports,, which will bring wealth into the colony. ', ,Thus many persons now congested round our seaport cities, swelling the ranks of the unemployed, causing the embarrassment and grave concern and threatening to degrade the cities of Ifew Zealand into gigantic workhouses, supported by State loans, would find employment in the conntry, and become profitable customers for many industries whioh confidence, qapital, and the presence of a large and prosperous rural population would create. These would in turn provide an important home marjket , for agricultural produce, while, with the exceptional advantages which New Zealand possesses in the readily , available tnd, abundant water power, excellent coalt splendid climate and geographical position, large industries might, in the sh,ape of exports, add their quota to tne stream of our national wealth." ,'-,'.-'-

The fine collection of theatrical por« traits at the Garrick Club, London, haa i*ecently received a valuable addition in the water-colour drawings representing the late Chas Mathews in 116 characters. These pictures, which lino the lobby leading- to the Strangers' room, were purchased at the Mathews' sale, and presented to the G-urrick Club by Kobajj Walters.