The Southland Times. MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1875.

Southland Times, Issue 2142, 28 June 1875, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1875.

It ia an obvious truth of political economy that the cultivation of the soil will not alone maintain the prosperity of a nation. Where all, or nearly all, are producers of the same staple articles of food, there will soon be created a surplus failing to find a market, and a check to industry must be the result. An unlimited power of expert would, of course, give scope for unlimited production, and goods or money would find their Tray back in exchange. But not all countries are so situated as to find, perennially, foreign markets for their produce, and such a resource cannot be relied on as the support of agriculture. The true complement 'of an agricultural population ia a manufacturing population. These two furnish the mutual aid that is necessary to create, in its commercial relations, a sound body politic. Where the bulk of what is grown is exported, and everything except the staple of food is imported, there is likely to be a losb on both transactions. The exporter will be a loser by the charges incurred in carrying his produce to a foreign market, to say nothing of the duties that may meet it there ; and the importer will be a loser, inasmuch as the cost of the article he consumes represents foreign labor and foreign profit. Of course the latter argument will affect only such articles ns are capable of being profitably produced upon native soil. This country has submitted for an unnecessary length of time to import what she herself is able to produce. This has been due, in a measure, to a want of energy on the part of colonists, and still more, perhaps, to fastidiousness on the part of consumers. A little thought and a little patriotism would early have banished from our markets much that has displaced or forestalled the products of native growers. It cannot bo too strongly impressed on a community that to give a preference to an article of import over that which is grown at home is to inflict, bo far, a national loss. With regard to manufactures, the truth enunciated especially holds good, but the process of meeting the demand by native efforts is more slow and difficult. The Government has looked on this matter with a clear eye, and has made the only attempt supposed to be consistent with sound political economy, to foster native industries. It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to show wherein the system of bonuses differs in principle from a moderate protection. But let that pass. It has been the wise policy of the New Zealand Government to offer, iv the shape of bonuses, ample encouragement to new manufacturing enterprise, Ihe ProVincial Government of Otago

has followed with the same incitement. Already some of these bonuses have been claimed and paid. We have had to call attention more than once to the Pottery Company at Milton, which has secured a substantial Government reward, and is likely to become a flourishing association. The advantages of such an industry in utilising products of the soii hitherto neglected, as well as in employing labor, is sufficiently patent, while the saving of risk and freight on an article like pottery ia another gain. The works of Mr Judge, in our own neighborhood, are not to be forgotten when this branch of manufacture is spoken of, and we can only regret that, on technical grounds, Southland was deprived of the reward and honor due to a pioneer effort. The success of the Mosgicl woollen factory will occur to every one. In no direction ia it more desirable to encourage enterprise than in that of working up our great staple. This manufacture is, we believe, only in its infancy. Certainly its advance should not cease until the fabrics in ordinary use, of this material, are produced in quantity to meet the demand of the colony. The enormous import of woollen goods should not outlast the very youth of the nation. In this connection we are glad to notice also the clothing factories of Messrs Hallenetein and Messrs Sargood, in Dunedin, which are amongst the wonders of the city, and the newly-started concern at Kaikorai. Messrs Sargood have added to their other manufacture that of boots and shoes, on a very large scale of operation. It is refreshing to have to record undertakings of a character bo sound, and so conducive to the prosperity of the country. The timber trade of Southland has recently sprung into importance, and should not be omitted when account is takea of new industries. We may look for its continuance and expansion when regard is had to the euormous supplies of material for the sawraillers, and. to the yearly increasing facilities of working and transit. If any one wishes to understand the advantage of such a trade as this, let him study a recent report of the Inspector of Forests, exhibiting the number of individuals for whom it finds employment. We have to enumerate yet another industry which has been long in prospect and is at last likely to find a footing in Otago. The large consumption of paper in the colony, and the facilities existing for its manufacture, have for a length of time pointed to the desirableness of establishing native works for its production. The General Government and tho Provincial Go vernment of Otago had alike voted considerable bonuses for the erection of machinery and the manufacture of a given quantity of paper, but until recently their invitation met with no practical response. At length a company has pledged itself to establish a paper mill on the east bank of the Mataura, where raw material for the manufacture abounds. With commendable liberality, the Waste Lands Board of Otago, with the sanction of the Superintendent and his Executive, has granted a suitable site, including ample water power, and we believe there will be no delay in commencing the works. The machinery is in course of construction in Sydney ; a practical manager is on the spot ; and the company will aim— we doubt not successfully — at securing both bonuses. The public will hail with satisfaction the inauguration of this new and most useful industry, which will furnish fresh employment to the population, and add not a little to the wealth of the country. It is matter for congratulation that such an enterprise should have had its origin in Invercargill. Much remaius to be done in tho way of discovering and utilising coal and iron, which form the basis of manufactures. This country will probably ere long yield both in abundance. Cheaplabor ia another desideratum, and the increase of population may be reckoned on to furnish that too in due time.