Hawke's Bay Herald; FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1870.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1142, 8 April 1870, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald ; FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1870.

An article recently appeared in the Independent (which we copied) calling attentiou to the " remarkable improvidence which, as a community, we are displaying, by expending so much money every year in the purchase of articles which might, and ought, to be produced among ourselves." It is such articles as this that raise the character of a newspaper, and we are glad to observe an improved tone generally in a section of the Wellington press. Our contemporary, in a subsequent issue, returns to the subject, " with the view of making some practical suggestions as to the steps which should be taken to remedy such an unsatisfactory state of affairs." The writer, after iutroduciug the subject in hand, very properly remarks : — " In proposing that a large proportion of these raw materials should be worked up here instead of being exported, it is well to bear in mind that each of them is capable of being converted into coaise articles of large consumption, and that these ruder manufacturers would pave the way for the production of goods of finer aud more costly descriptions. Thus blankets and serge may be made from wool long before the skill of the workmen or the completeness of the machinery would be equal to the manufacture of broad-cloths or carpets. In the same manner, flax may be cheaply made into cordage and sacking, .and tallow into soap and "steariue" or composition candles, the process in either case being tolerably simple. Thus au immediate demand may be at once supplied, aud once factories are in operation, there is no fear but that improvements in the quality of the articles will speedily be made. " The fact of working up the raw materials on the spot, instead ot exporting them and having to import them afterwards in the shape of manufactures, will tend in several ways to give a very decided advantage to the local manufacturer. Freights, charges, and duties will all be ' saved, and these together will counter-balauco the extra cost of production, and possibly make the home-made article cheaper than the imported. Of course if it is not at least as cheap, buyers would give the preference to imported goods, but ouce show that goods made in Now Zealaud can compare favorably with those that are brought from England, aud then self-interest will influence the community to become purchasers, aud it is only as an interest of the buyer can be eulisted on the side of the colonial manufacturer, that his goods will find and keep their proper place in the colonial market." — The means by which it is proposed by our contemporary to efleGt these desirable results "are a combination of the priuciple of Joint-Stock Companies aud those of Co-operative Associations, with some such modifications in favor of the workmen as have been adopted by Sir Titus Salt and other large aud wealthy manufacturers in England." The writer illustrates this by supposing " that it were determined to establish a woollen factory, in which case he would, suggest that a company be formed consisting of three parties. First, subscribing shareholders, who would provide the capital required for the first outlay for premises, plant, &c., aud fora portion of the working expenses for a time until some returns could be obtained. Secondly, a person of sufficient skill in the intended manufacture, and of such business habits aud integrity, that he could be entrusted with the working

management ; and thirdly, of workmen skilled and unskilled, as might bo required to cany on the business. Minimum rates of salary an tl. {wages should be fixed for mauager and,;workmen,' in addition to which they jshould be shareholders (but? without-contri-buting to the funds of the company) in certain fixed proportions, as, say, the manager, five shares j -"foreman;- three shares ; skilled.workmen, two shares ; and. labourers, one share each, thus giving each one an interest in. the successful working of the undertaking." — -In the views so ably advanced by our contemporary we cordially agree, and we have given prominence to the same in the hope that an interest .in the subject may be created in this province. Till such factories are established, and till the drinking customs of society are greatly restricted, there can be no real prosperity to any community. Improvidence on the one. hand, and fatuitous self-indulgence, on the other, are fast reducing the provinces of New Zealand to a state of poverty ; aud every true colonist should make a vigorous effort to remedy such a stale of things.