WHAT WE OUGHT TO MAKE OURSELVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3738, 9 July 1883, Page 4

WHAT WE OUGHT TO MAKE OURSELVES.

In spite of tho heavy tariff which oporrate3 so largely in tho Avay of protection to what some are pleased to call local industries, New Zoaland still imports largely all classes of goods, some of which aro manufactured in tho country. Apparel and slops to the value of £288,021 were imported in 1882, and on which the sum of £43,008 of duty Avas paid. Boots and shoes worth iUt/ti, 140 were received from outside the Colony, on which a duty of £10,819 was paid. Iv this instance, as in that of the preceding one, the imports of 1882 were considerably in excess of those »f 1881. Cement, notwithstanding tho endoavors to encourage its manufacture in the Colony, was imported to tho value of £68,837, the number of barrels being 103,360, as against 39,519 in 1881. The import of coal, on the other hand, has not increased. The industry of coal-mining has, fortunately, no assistance from tho tariff, and, notwithstanding tho increased demand consequent on tbe growth of population, there was a Blight diminution in the quantity received from foreign ports. Wo have said that, notwithstanding the protection afforded certain artificial industries, theso industries clo not overcome the demands of the Colony. But tbo sanio is the case with some which might be expected to flourish without any assistance of the kind. It is generally admitted that New Zealand waters swarm with valuable fish, wliich should be not only an important part of the food of tho population, but should also form a considerable article of export. Yet last year we imported fish dried, pickled, ancl salted to the value of £7000, and potted and preserved to the amount of £20,581: while our exports were worth only £1,000. Then again, take fruit. It is admitted that this colony is eminently fitted for the extensive production of this article, ancl a good deal is said from time to time about encouraging tho industry of fruit preserving on a large scale AYe believe the business has been taken up to % limited extent iv sumo parts. We find, nevertheless, that fruit (bottled and preserved) was imported to the value of £1771, while the largo sum of £64,510 was paid for fresh fruit. Jams and jellies figure in the list of imports to the amount, of £22,923, on which duty was paid of £5327. On the other hand, we exported £148 worth of bottled fruit, £25 worth of dried fruit, ancl £205 of fresh. Jams, jellies, and preserves were exported to tho value of £159. —Press.