139

1X.—22

A-nother interesting exhibit was that of linseed, linseed-meal, buckwheat, pease, pea-flour, and rye, all representing crops to which farmers might turn their attention with great advantage. The manufacture of horse-nails of the finest quality was exhibited, and shown to be an industry capable of being easily and profitably carried on—at all events, for retail purposes. A string-binder attachment to a reaping-and-binding machine was exhibited, working with twine made from New Zealand phormium, and apparently answering the expectations of its inventor. Two specimens of chaff-cutting machines of very good quality were shown. Here, again, as in so many other local manufactures, the imported article is beaten in point of quality; but the local manufacturer cannot produce inferior articles as cheaply as they are imported. In this case the difference exists in the frame of the machine being made of timber in the locally-made, and iron in the imported machines. The carriage-making trade was represented by a number of superb exhibits, including a highlyfinished brougham, dog-carts, Queen's phaeton, wagonettes, double buggy, gigs, and a hansom cab. In all these lines the local manufacturer can compete successfully with the importer, both in price and quality, but not in the cheaper class of goods. There are about two huudred and twenty men employed in this trade in Christchurch, at an average wage of £1 18s. 6d. a week. A strong farmers' dray was shown as a specimen of a new and important industry, quite separate from carriage-building. It was in every respect superior to imported drays of the same class, and the price was lower. Carriage-lamps locally manufactured were also shown. A useful industry was represented by a varied exhibit of paper and pasteboard boxes for chemists, haberdashers, milliners, jewellers, and other purposes. These were of remarkably good quality —far superior to that of the imported articles; but the manufacturer stated that he can scarcely compete in point of price with the inferior goods imported. The Committee desire to mention also the following exhibits, about which they have not obtained special information, but which they consider worthy of notice : —Wrapping-paper, coffee, confectionery, pickles and sauces, engravings on copper, bone-work, optical and scientific instruments, jewellery, brushware, basket-work, modelling in clay, improved washing-boiler, basket and cane-work, graining on wood, wines and beer, and bone-dust for manure, and many other smaller exhibits displaying much industry and ingenuity. In conclusion, the Committee have the honor to state that the time at their disposal for examining the Exhibition and reporting upon it was far too short to allow of their doing justice to it ; and they venture to suggest that, in the event of any similar exhibition being held hereafter, the Government should endeavour to ascertain for public information much more complete particulars than arc hereby conveyed. The Committee attach to the report various communications which the}' have received. We have, &c, Edwaed Wakefield, Chairman The Hon. John Hall, Premier of New Zealand. (for the Committee).

Notes on Tinware. No. 200. Mb. Pipeb exhibited samples of plain and japanned tinware, &c. In answer to Mr. Wakefield, Mr. Piper stated that, in the commoner class of tinware, such as camp-kettles or billies, buckets, and similar-quality goods, with the present tariff, manufacturers can hold their own, in consequence of factors, merchants, and others not importing, and manufacturers thus getting their individual share of the total local requirements, as the lines referred to above do not require first-class skilled labour, but are nearly altogether machine-made, and are also made the leading lines of English manufactories. The fact of colonial manufacturers being able, through having to supply the whole of the local requirements, to hold their own, proves that, if similar opportunity were given them to supply the better class of goods, requiring skilled labour, such as toilet sets, grocers' canisters, baths, &c, samples of which are now exhibited to the public, they could probably compete with outside manufacturers; but, as the total quantity required is not given to local manufacturers, but, in addition to the quantity brought into the market in the ordinary way as ordered, the market is kept overstocked in these and other lines by consignments which are invariably sold at a loss, or, at any rate, far below what the goods could be made for here. In consequence, local manufacturers are shut out, and the result is, that, as apprentices are absolutely necessary to the local manufacturer, when those boys arrive at the end of their term, their fit and proper class of work as skilled mechanics is wanting, and, after spending the best part of their life in learning a trade, they must either consent to do boys' work again at a nominal wage, or look for other employment. Comment on this is unnecessary. I would respectfully submit this feature of free-trade or modified protection to the best consideration of the Commission, and ask for an increase of duty on all japanned goods and stamped ware, milk-dishes, American baking-pans, for example; feeling convinced that private enterprise will immediately fill up the gap, and be the means of keeping about £5,000 per annum, less the cost of raw material, in Christchurch, that being about the amount of genei'al tinware imported here.

No. 201. Messrs. B. Hale and Co. to Mr. Wakefield. Sib,— Christchurch, 20th July, 1880. "We have forwarded to the Exhibition one of our own make aprons for reaping-and-binding machines, and would like to point out to you the disadvantage we contend against in the manufacture of them. We have to import the duck and ash sticks, and pay heavy duties on them, whereas the importers of the machines import them as extras without paying duty. Our opinion is, the importers should pay duty on the made-up article, as it gives a lot of work in making them here.