THE REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION. (from our own correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1501, 21 August 1880, Page 13

THE REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION. (from our own correspondent.)

, Wellington, August 13tfe The report of the Royal Commission oa Colonial Industries was laid on the table last night. As I telegraphed some time ago its general purport, I need now only give a summary of its general recommendations. The Commissioners recommend bonuses to be offered for the manufacture of linseed produced in the Colony, for the production of sugar, and manufacture of starch j adviße a rebate on the duty on sugar U3ed for fruit-preserving. They say the tobacco industry is destroyed by the Tobacco Act of 1879 f but I believe the manufacture of tobacco from imported leaf will yet assume considerable proportions. The cultivation of olives and mulberries ; the production of superior honey ; the introduction of Ligurian bees, particularly as a means of fertilising clover ; the extension of agricultural improvement hy drainage and irrigation, are all recommended to be encouraged. The use of wood for railway fuel in forest districts, and granting facilities to the coal industry, are advised ; but the Commission unanimously deprecate an unjust duty on coal. The woollen industry needs* no artificial assistance ; but "The Employment of Females Act"' la deemed unfair to employers in som,e respects, and therepeal of clause 4 (except as to* the Saturday half-holiday) is suggested. The excessive cost, of carryiug goods to market is the chief drtvwbaok on the earthenware industry, and reduced railway obarges are. proposed, The re»

minion of th» duty on sewing machines, Bilk, and thread, and on saffron used by tanners, is r«o<mmended ** an aid to the leather industry. Forest conservation i» strongly advised, care being taken to avoid excessive cost in officials. The Commissioners hold that local manufacturers should receive every facility or supplying railway rolling • Btock when needed by the Government, and that hickory wheel spokes be admitted free of duty. The competition of the Government workshops is injurious to the metal trades, and all exemptions of corporate and other bodies from duty on imported goods should be aboliHhed to enable local manufacturers to compete with importers. Fisheries should be encouraged by lower railway freights, and by permitting the fißh trade to obtain ova from public waters at proper ■eaaons. The smelting of iron ore or sand, or its conversion into steel, cannot be carried on profitably in New Zealand. The Commisaon do not recommend a protective duty on imported jewellery, or an export duty on greenBtone, as demanded by mamifacturing jewellers, as tboy do ,not approve of taxing tbe whole community or restricting choice in works of art or luxury to make an artißcial industry for which there is not natural demand. To enooursge the cement industry, the Government ahoul'i < ff<r to purchase 10 tonn of cement from any bonajdc local manufacturer, subject to proper t*-ln, and the price to be the market price of the beat Portland cement as delivered at the principal seaports of tbe Colony. The bookbinding trade and manufacture of accountbooka should be encouraged by remitting the duty on hookbinders' leather, ruling inks, and other articles used in the trade, and by the Government inviting tenders for such articles as can be Lcally manufactured. The Commission suggest that a bonus should be off<red for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, as the cost of the necessary plant is very heavy ; also for sugar refining •nd Bilk manufacture, the last to be 50 per cent, on the value of the first 1000 eocoonß produoed in the Colony, not less than 50 nor more than 100 being produced by any person. They suggest the, removal of anomalies in the tariff, and the re- j BcMuftment of schedules of articles required by the Public Works Department in the direction of encouraging kc»l manufactures. They reCommend inquiry iuto tbe working of the toatent laws, and the development of technical education. In regard to bonuses, they think a Ruarantee of 5 per cent, on the ontlay for four, fivf , or six years the best form. They advocate & uniform standard of weights and measures for grain and flmr being established bylaw, and direct attention to the proviaiots of "The Special Partnership Act, 1858, and " The Parnership Act, 1866," under which capitalists can share tbe profits of an undertaking wifh limited liability to themse yes, unlimited liability being restricted, to working partners. The effect of the existing Customs tariff is distinctly, though inequitably, protective as it affords artificial advantages to particular industries by limiting the market of those who are dependent pn them for supplies. They consider that there is every danger of protection of one trade proving detrimental, if not positively restrictive, to others, and therefore recommend great caution to be exercised in making any changes in the Customs tariff, except for revenue purpoßeß. They have not considered it necessary to make any loqmry into the position of the wool or grain growing industry or those minor ones with which they are naturally associated. Tney regret that want of time precluded their visiting localities where cold and coal mining industries are situate, or ore likely to come into existence. Theyrecommend that should the present inquiry bo continued, or any Bimilar inquiry instituted in future, a thorough examination should be made of the settlements on tbe West Coast of the Middle Island, with a view of ascertaining what aid can most effectively and advanta^ geously be given by the Government to the production of gold, coal, iron, timber, and other valuable materials which are known .to exist there in bnundleps profusion, but under conditions of difficulty insuperable to a sparee population of limited means and appliances. ,