TARANAKI IRONSAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 170, 28 June 1900, Page 2

TARANAKI IRONSAND.

Mr. B. M, Sjhth, M.H.E, has for.the following communication to AL-, D. Berry-: 27, Lisn'oton Wellington, 25th J tine, J 900. Dear Si', —Some ye.'irs ago, when I w.is a member of the Society of Arts, Loudon, a discus*L>n cecum d here on the subject of the T.ranaki iionsacd, and exports from all parts of Euiopi gave their opinioD/s freely. VLuen valuable information waselicjte'd, and some of the large mhlurs of iron and steel predicted a brilliant future for I Now Z* Ef.ly.nd as the Birmingham and Shiffi:-!d of the Paeiijp directly this juiioiraous supply, of raw material , dfiaifto ut-ilisod.' Olio Sheffield marufuc'iirtr stated the uL»taeliis wore ccmpirauveiy iriflin?, and with English energy and resource .New Zeajaad

would become the great manufacturing state of Australasia. He expressed I considerable astonishment at the lack of enterprise and practical knowledge in the colony in allowing such a valuable asset to lie dormant. I was a servant of the Queen at the time, and had little thought of leaving England, but I was much impressod by the extremely favourable view taken by th<3 eminent scientific men who discussed the subject. lam an entire stranger to you, and merely mention the facts in the interest of the colony.—Yours faithfully, James Freybekg. E. M. Smith, Esq., M.H.R. Amongst the political notes in the New Zealand Times is the following reference to this same matter: " Mr. E. M, Smith, the member for Taranaki, has come down to Wellington this session with the avowed intention of doing his utmost to persuade the House to assist the starting of the iron and steel industry in his district. On Friday he opened his campaign by giving notice to ask the Premier to set aside an afternoon this week so as to give him an opportunity to address the House on the best means of establishing the iron and steel industry in the colony, and with a view to keeping in the country the £1,500,000 which is 1 now sent out of it annually for those products. The rather large order conveyed in the question drew forth considerable laughter from the House ; but Mr, Smith has in past sessions shown a persistency and devotion that make him impervious to that kind of opposition. : He has sent a petition to the Governs ment praying that a bonus of £1 per i ton be offered for the first 20,000 tonof iron produced in New Zealand, and ; has received a written assurance that [ the matter will be considered by the 1 Cabinet. If it be true that iron and > steel could be produced in this country ■ at a cheaper rate than they can be ' delivered from Europe or America, the [ question of fostering this great industry might well be considered along with the proposals for carrying out a vigor- : oub policy of railway construction." It ■ seems highly probable that Mr, Smith 1 will succeed in getting something done j in this direction before the session is over. He is leaving no stone unturned i to attain the end in view, and in order [ that members may have an opportunity of seeing specimens of the manufactured , [ material a case (shown to us by one of i f Mr. Smith's sons) containing two racing ' plates and a hack shop, together with ' samples of shoeing nails, is being despatched to Wellington. These articles ; have just been made by Mr. Alex, \ Davidson out of bar iron smelted by . Mr. Smith some years back at One- ' hunga, and present a most satisfactory ' appearance, the workmanship and ' material being all that could be desired. ; Mr. Smith is decidedly wise in sub- , mitting for inspection such excellent - products of the raw material.