Coming Industries.

Hastings Standard, Issue 449, 13 October 1897, Page 4

Coming Industries.

_ The Colonial Treasurer lp his Financial Statement dealt with two industries that are likely to largely engage the attention of tiie farmers of New Zealand, as follows : RHEA, It is probable that New Zealand will be found especially suitable for production cf the valuable rhea or namsplant. Although its field of cultivation has been hitherto in warm countries the most valuable variety grows best in a temperate climate. It is exceedingly hardy and thrives in almost any description of soil; indeed it was formerly looked on as a troublesome and ineradicable weed quite recently the gum which had hitherto defied the efforts of inventors to extract has been mastered by a process and the plant now bids fair to become one of the most useful textile materials ever brought into the service of mankind. It can supply the place of both hemp and flax, of cotton, and to some degree of silk in its coarser form. It makes good rope, cordage, &c., while the finer material can be woven into damasks, flannels, velvets, &c., of beautiful appearance and brilliant hue. The lands of the North Island of New Zealand, especially of the parts having volcanic soils, are especially suitable for raising crops of this plant. It is propagated in several ways by seed, by cuttings, and by division of roots, so that rapid extension of cultivation is possible, Roots were obtained last year and a further supply a few months ago were propagated at Moraohaki experimental station, and a distribution will be made from there next year in order that further tests may be applied. The price of the fibre is at present £BO per ton. The average cost of production is about £4 J?er acre to produce about 200 pounds of fibre. This is about five or six times the yield that cotton gives under the favorable circumstances. Representatives of the company holding the patent rights for the cleaning process waited upon me when in England and wished to know whether the New Zealand Government were prepared to encourage the introduction of this plant into the colony and set apart land for the company for the purpose. The company also gave me to understand that they were prepared to treat with anyone undertaking to cultivate the plant for the purchase of the raw material. An interesting pamphlet on the subject, together with samples, will be laid on the table for the information and inspection of hon. members. BEET ROOT. The advantages that would result from the successful growing of beet root and the manufacture of sugar therefrom cannot be too highly estimated. Some years ago Sir Julius Yogel interested himself in this matter, but although legislation followed no practical good to the colony has resulted. Germany has been making strenuous efforts by means of bonus, cheap railway freights, &c., to foster the manufacture of beet root sugar, and the cheerful way in which the German consumers of the Fatherland submit to the high prices charged for sugar for home consumption, and at the same time find the money for the payment of bonuses clearly indicates they appreciate the advantages to the nation as a whole resulting from the growing of sugar beet, fu the Western States of America the beet root sugar industry is assuming large proportions. When in San Francisco I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Claud Spreckles and others interested in the industry. From them I obtained reliable information as to the benefits resulting to the Californian States from the growing of beet-root, and the making of sugar from it. Localities which prior to the starting of beet growing were in a most depressed condition and almost depopulated owing to poor returns from the laud are now in a most thriving condition. Land has gone up in value at least £1 per acre. The demand for labor is good. Increased roading has been found necesssary, and a railway specially for that part of the State is now in course of construction. Our neighbors in the colony of Victoria have also passed legislation affecting the industry, and have offered inducaments sufficient to warrant a company in erecting a factory at Maftra. For some years past experiments have been made in different parts of this colony with the view of testing the soil for*sugar-beet growing, and the results have been very satisfactory. The lands in the Waikato, Hawke's Bay, W T airarapa, and Taranaki districts in the North Island, and Marlborough, Canterbury, aud the northern parts of Otago are said to be specially suitable. The percentage of saccharine matter obtainable from sugar beet grown in these parts equals, if it does not exceed, that obtained in Germany and France. That our settlers could undertake to supply at satisfactory prices the amount of beet required is assured. The main difficulty in the way is the finding of the working capital necessary for the purchase and erection of machinery and plant. This is estimated at not less than a quarter of a million pounds sterling. In selecting a site for the works it has been pointed out to me that three things are essential —viz., a plentiful supply of clean water, cheap motive power, and a place into which _ the refuse from the works can be drained without risk of claims for damages from the holders of riparian rights. During last season a deputation from Auckland waited upon me in respect to this mat f er, and Count D'Abbans, Consul for France, frequently called the attention of the Government to this important industry and also supplied valuable information respecting it. W T hen in Paris recently Mr Ernest Bosker, the representative of Messrs Wangtiire and Sons, of Lille, interviewed me in reference to the subject. To him as to others I have given the reply that the Gqy«

eminent could only give such concession as the exestmg law provided. The present terms and condition arc not sufficient,ly favorable, however, to induce private enterprise to embark in the undertaking. We therefore de-run it advisable to ask Parliament to review the position. I am not forgetful of tbc successful introduction of the beet root sugar factory wiii have upon the finances and upon the Island sugar trade and the refinery at Auckland. As regards finance, the collateral advantage of large employment of labor, the increased value of land retaining the money in the colony, and of reducing the price town consumers will, I hold, compensate for the loss of revenue. As to our trade with the Islands there is no feeling of reciprocity, and our exports there are decreasing year by year, and as to the refining works assimilating would possibly ensue. The many advantages that would probably accrue by adding another and profitable industry to the large number already established, the great help it would be to our settlers, and the opening for increased land that would be afforded, embolden the Government to submit that the time has come for the colony to grant otherconcessions, such as extending and increasing the bonus as would insure the satisfactory starting of this important industry. I intend at an early date to introduce a measure extending the present law by granting, with proper safeguards, to any person or corporation producing sugar from beet an annual bonus of of £SOOO on not less than 1000 tons produced yearly for four years, and also continuing for an after period of ten years the provision for differential duty in favor of the manufacturers. The Bill will also provide for loans not exceeding £20,000 to any person or corporation at the rate of £ for £ on moneys expended on land, buildings, and plant for its manufacture.