HOME INDUSTRIES.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12480, 17 April 1906, Page 8

HOME INDUSTRIES.

TO THE ZDITOB OF "TUB Fa-ESS." Sir, —I have read carefully Mr Mo» Bride's pamphlet explaining his scheme for their advancement. I, for one, cannot resist the conclusion that, the machinery he wishes to eot up ia w complicated that it will not work. Be that as it may, it strikes mc that this advertising that our industries, after all the protection they havo had for so long, aro tottering, and must be braced up, is very discordant with the times. 1 have just read the ode, cop?, posed by a. Christchurch poet, and which we have to sing at the opening of the Exhibition; with loud voices we will proclaim our praise for the pioneers, also now passing away, who without help produced wealth out of theee new lands, the fruit of which we now enjoy, The jarring note is that a race of men have now sprung up who possess no such 6clf-reliance and courage. They have started industries which they cannot make pay without getting a forced contribution by law; from tho real wealth producers—the farmers, tlie sellers of wool, mutton, flax, grain, etc. The noto jars more when we find that they are demanding the prohibition of imports of manufactures that are cheaper and better than theirs; at the same time that the Exhibition (Jommififik ,rs are moving heaven and earh to got foreign manufacturers to •send samples of their gcods to our show. What is the use of their exhibiting their goods if they will not be allowed to sell them here. What is the ute of having industries if they never pass the nursing stage? What is tho iico of having races if you exclude tho best horses? If the progress which wo are about to celebrate is to be continued, every man must be a wealth producer. He is not such when he wants to force you to buy his goods at a greater price than that at which you can import an good from abroad. Industry is usckiss unless it is profitable. We can't grow grapehero without they are in hothouseft Why kliouM we ho forced to grow them? Why should we. he forced to support manufactures that cannot exist when pubjoefed to competition I'— Yours, etc., , SOUND PROGRESS.