COLONIAL MANUFACTURES.

Press, Volume X, Issue 1188, 28 August 1866, Page 2

COLONIAL MANUFACTURES.

TO THB EDITOE OP THB " PEESS " SIB,—I believe it will be generally ad'mlfw that there exists here a depression i a ? ' merciul affaire ; therefore, should it jjoff our duty to consider what atep oocbt tok taken to endeavor to apply a remedy? r am quite sure we shall always be in a w l, l position so long as we continue to send a™ a large amount of our capital for tko nnw-u 7 of those articles which ought to ■ ffSs obtained or manufactured hero; atjamto always that the price of labor would not mF tate too strongly against a ootnpetitioii' wiiK the home markets. Perhaps there aro turn cases where, in the onset, it might bg tj™ dent to hare a protective duty for a l™y period. The following are amongat thosa thicji which can be obtained here, and for which a large amount of money is now sent from the province. Coal is indispensable in almost ell maru. faotories. It ehould be brought down fern Malvern by a traction engine, and sold 'tb & price that would ensure its coneumptioa. Woollen clothing ie best suited for this climate throughdub.flie year. Why not follow the example of Nelson in this respect ? We have tanneries here which ought to h encouraged to assist in the manufacture of our own boots, shoes, and harness. Nest as to hops. This climate is adnsirably suited for their growth, but it fe necessary that they should be protected from strong winds. The climate of Akaroa ie peculiarly adapted for the formation of hop gardsss, which would be a profitable undertaking, Beet can be grown here in perfection. I have seen beautiful samples of eugare made from this root, and it is alao used for making excellent beer aud spirits. Tobacco can bo grown here with little trouble. I recollect tho time when Francs, in order to encourago native industry, prohibited tho importation of this article of commerce, and no other was sold than tho Tahae dv Royaume. ; ..,.;.'. I now come to the manufacture ti spirit?, and glad to see that our legislature has etksJ thought it expedient to remove tho strict prohibition it has so long enforced So pwwaS the establishment of these manufactories. 1 presume the chief reason has been tho fa? of the revenue being imposed upon, bul ikm h no occasion for alarm if a proper system of survey is carried out. What we wasJ is a corn distillery to encourage the farmer, by the consumption of large quantities of barlej, oati 3 and potatoes; it would also give employment; to backmakere, vatmakers, coopers, copper smiths, and other trades. It ia a businei? tbl requires a large capital, and if prqper'ycoa* ducted could not fail to realise good inUml I ccc no reason why a company should noi to formed to carry this into effect. The object of all of us should bo to prewai as much aa possible a rerj large amount of capital being sent away, draining us of otic wealth and keeping us poor. Oar utmost exertion should be, to become etport&s of many of those articles which we sro coatinually importing. The only remedy ii to establish local manufactories, and produce from among ourselves those things which■'oaa be made here. It would employ labor and capital, give an impetus to the agricaMrial and to trade generally, and reliere the commercial depression which is becoming s cliwnio disease in the province. lam, &c, B.