KAIAPOI WOOLLEN FACTORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3419, 26 March 1879, Page 3

KAIAPOI WOOLLEN FACTORY.

This factory, as already announced, was thrown open to the public yesterday, and the announcement had tho effect of bringing together a large gathering. The mill was afc work afc an early hour, and the machinery was in capital order, and had tho appearance of having been running for a considerable time, instead of boing just erected. Tho hands were all at tlieir respective posts, and every branch of fcho work was conducted as if ifc wero an ordinary working day. To givo an idea of the work in progress, it only need be said thafc no less fchan 12 looms were in full swing. Ono of these was engaged on the ordinaryblanket work ; tho others wero busy with flannels and tweeds of several varieties and qualities. Only one box-loom was in order, and that was working apparently without a hitch, and turning out an article in the shape of a treblo-miiled tweed, which few of fcho residents in Kaiapoi have anticipated seeing manufactured in the nighbourhood. In appearance it was equal in all reapeefcs to the best West of England tweed. During the whole time that tho factory was open there was a constant stream of visitors, and such excellent arrangements had been made to enable them to inspect the whole of the machinery that a crowd did not assemble at any one point, and the various departments were all seen to perfection. We do not know how many visitors were present, but it is an evidence of the interest taken in the success of the undertaking when such numbers availed themselves of tho opportunity of witneeaing tho machinery at work.

After making a thorough inspection of the Factory, the company of invited guests assembled at tho Oddfellows' Hall, whero a cold luncheon was laid for thorn. Tho Hall was arranged with four long tables down the room, and about 300 people were seated at them. The chair was occupied by Mr Isaac Wilson, Chairman of Directors, who was supported on his right by Mr W. Montgomery, M.H.R., aud on hia lefb by Mr C. 0. Bowen, M.H.R. The vice-chairs were occupied by Mr G. H. Blackwcll, Mayor of Kaiapoi, and the Hon. J. T. Peacock.

Tho Chairman commenced tho proceedings by proposing briefly fche healths of " Her Majesty the Q.uecn," " Tho Princo of Wales and Royal Famjiy," and " The Now Governor of New Zealand," whicli were each duly honoured. He then proposed " The General Assembly," and said that though nofc usual on such occasions to infcroduco politics, ho was forced on this oraisiou to mention a question which waa of vital interest to an industry such as tho ono thoy had that day met to witness receive a now start, and that was protection. It was a matter of moment to tho Kaiapoi Woollen Company whether a protective duty was imposed and maintained on the imported articlo, and ho would like to ask the representatives of tho General Assembly present if fche eleven per cent now placed on those goods, would bo kept on or not. Until lately he had been entirely in favour of free trado, bufc he had cause e\ ery time ho visited tho mill to noto the necessity for fostering tho local industry by a protective duty. It was not only tho weaving trado thafc was encouraged by this mill, but thero were numerous other trades which derived a benefit hy it. Ho alluded to tho fact tliat a considerable quantity of native coal was used in tho work, that carpenters and othor tradesmen wero kopt almost constantly employed, and there were over 50 hands engaged in the factory. As the rate of wages was so much higher than in England, ifc was absolutely necessary that such an industry should bo protected and fostered by tho Assembly. Ho coupled wifch fche toast the name of Mr 0. 0. Bowen, member for fche district.

Mr Bowen, who was warmly received, said that bufc for the direct challenge thrown out by tho Chairman ho should nofc have trenched on politics afc all; bufc under the circumstances he could not possibly steer clear of tbem. In tho first place ho begged, howover, to thank them sincerely for tho manner in wliich fchey had received fche toast. Their Oolonial institutions were merely borrowed from England, and wero as yet comparatively on their trial, but were, under the circumstances, working fairly, and ifc would take time to bring them into greater perfection. Ihere was no douot thero wero many dangers whioh were looming in tho diatance, symptoms of which were to be seen evory day. Ono of theae was the ovil of hampering their delegates and electing them on some popular cry, and thia waa ealcula! Ed to bring about a bad system of representation. He hoped tho caucus and delegate system would never oxtend here, and that tho first sign of it would be put down. He was induced to make theße remarks as ho was in-

debfced to the constituency he represented ior not fettering him in the slightest degree, nor had he been dictated fco br any person or section of fcho district he represented. He begged sincerely to thank them for this, as he had on frequent occasions had to look wifch sympathy on some members of the Assembly when they received dictator v telegram =■ or communications from their constituents, some of whicli had been rec.ived with an amount of equanimity which had quite surprised him. Having been challenged on tiie point, he was bound to admit thafc he was a downright Freetrader, though he considered such a policy as the dufcy which had been referred to by fche Chairman, was but a revenue dufcy and not a protective one. He should resist any reduction in such duties knowing fchem fco be necessary, though if it were possible he should prefer doing without them. He omtended that it was on the knowledge that such duties could not b= dona away with, tint industrio were commenced and increased from time to time. He would ask any one nofc interested to cay whether to impose a protective duty would nofc be giving "our enterprising friends" a monopoly? (Hear, hear). The Chairman had already spoken of tho probable succesa of auch an institution, and he did not doubt that the Company's dividends would be very large, aud tho enterprise prove most satisfactory. As their representative, he should endeavour to give no unfair advantage to any one class, bufc generally to serve fche interests of the country. Ho cordially congratulated the people of Kaiapoi, and the Company especially, on the success of their undertaking. (Cheers.) The Hon J. T. Peacock said he was sorry to hear the Cliairman speak of Protection and Protectionists. For his part he was not a Protectionist, (Hear, hear.) It was natural for people to change their opinion when selfinterest came in tho way, bufc for his parfc, though he was interested in the Factory as a shareholder, he was not a Protectionist. He depended upon the auperior quality of the articlo they would be able to turn out, to secure them a good name and business. (Cheers.) He begged to thank them, as a member of the Upper House, for the manner in which they had received the toast.

Mr J. Ollivier, on rising to propose fche next toast, said he was glad that it did not pledge him to any particular policy. He was, however, a Protectionist, and did not agree with the remarks of some free traders, because if such sentiments were to prevail, what would become of our local institutions and governing bodies— (laughter)— the Municipalities, the Road Boards and County Councils. If such were to prevail ifc would result in fcheir looking upon the Mayor of a Borough as something beneath contempt ; the Chairman of a County Council a still more despicable object ; and the Chairman of a Road Board with still lesa reapect. Ho (the speaker) had always been taught to pay due reapect to hia pastors and masters, and ho respected the Mayor of Kangiora, Mr H. Blackett, whom nature had fitted mosfc essentially for being a Mayor. (Loud laughter.) Ho also referred to the Chairman of the Mandeville *iud Rangiora Road Board, Mr Parsous, saying he had always been taught to re.-poet all parsons (laughter), but this was ono of his especial favourites. iheu of tho Mayor of Lytteltou, ho said ho must say that he must beall right, as he had so long lilled tho office. He regretted the Mayor of Christchurch was nofc present, but presumed he was so deeply engaged in his civic duties as to prevent his attendance. There was also tho Mayor of Kaiapoi, the Chairman of the West Eyreton and Eyreton Road Boards, (to all of whom he made a fitting allusion), and he thought that these gentlemen should understand the word protection in its fullest sense, and hoped fchey would still continue the conservation of the public interests as they had dono in the past. Ho would propose tho health of fche " Governing Bodies."

Mr Blackett said it had given him great pleasure to inspect tho factory thafc day, and, from his experience in manufactories in England, ho could only marvel at tho wonderful improvements made sinco he loft thero. Tho only .mistake he saw in the Cam Factory was that it should havo been driven by water, and if the mill had been built aboufc two miles higher up tho stream sufficient water power could have been obtained.

Mr Parsons alpo responded, saying that doubtless tho Road Boards were doing good work, and would continuo to do so.

Mr AUwright (who was facetiously termed "the port of Canterbury"), in responding, said he never dreamed fchat Kaiapoi, ahove all places in the province, would make such a rapid stride in the cause of colonisation as they had dono by tho establishment of a factory on such a scale. Ho congratulated tho residents on ifc, and hoped they would reap the reward fchoy merited. Therb was no doubfc it would not pay to use " shoddy," and they could therefore depend on getting tho proper article when using Kaiapoi manufactures.

Mr Bowen proposed " Tho Commercial Interests of Canterbury," and iv doing so said thafc tho establishment; of an industry like the Woollen Factory ufc Kaiapoi would affect fcho whole of Canterbury, and not Kaiapoi alone. There was no doubt a new era was in store for Kaiapoi. The word " shoddy " having been mentioned, he had enquired aud found what ifc was, bufc there was no fear of its introduction into Canterbury. Hithorto the reason Kaiapoi goods had not been eagerly sought alter was that the merchants aud storekeepers had already ordered, aud till the orders were satisfied they could nofc procure the home made article. Ho was convinced they could mako better and cheaper articlea than the imported. They wero in tho middle of a greafc commorcial depreesion, which in theao times of cable communication was felt in all quarters ufc once, and there was moro dependence felt now on other parts of tlio world. Still ifc would, ho believed, bo comparatively bufc a temporary depression. Ho coupled with tho toast tho name of Mr C. W. Turner.

Mr Turner said thafc Canterbury was now under tho eyes of tho world as an agricultural community. Ho believed thafc a good harvest would havo fche effect of removing tho depreesion that now existed. Ifc would nofc do to look despondently at the futuro, and it must be remembered that Canterbury ranked high in commercial circles. The starting of such an industry aa tho Woollen Factory would bo also seen and appreciated. Ho alluded to the fact that £150,000 had boen sent from Canterbury alone to America for reaping machines during tho space of two years. The exports of Canterbury wero now oqual to one largo ship-load per week, which was something different to tho trade twenty yoars ago. Tliore was nothing to fear for tho future, and tho prosont crisis woidd thon be looked back upon cheerfully. Mr Montgomery proposed success to the " Kaiapoi Woollen Factory," Ho passed a high tribute of praise to the Chairman, Mr Isaac Wilson, for his energy and uprightness of character, and congratulated fcho Company on having such a man at tho head of affairs.

The Chairman briefly acknowledged the toast, and took tho opportunity of thanking the largo company for their attendance. Thero had beon a good deal of talk about tho factory, that it could not pay, especially at Kaiapoi, but tho facts proved otherwise. They would, of course, havo to mako further improvements, but at present thoy would keep on aa thoy wore. Ho waa quito satisfied with tho cloven por cont duty on imported goods, and thought ifc necessary fchafc such a duty should remain. As for " shoddy," ho did not know what it was, nor did he intend to. Their efforts would bo to turn out the best article, and he should not be contented till they took first prize, in competition, for Now Zealund mado goods. Mr Beswick proposed "The agricultural interest." Ho thought this was the greatest of all industries, though now slightly under a cloud, through no fault of tho farmers, hut on account of a shorfc aupply of rain. Ifc was necesßary to remember thiß important branch while they were celebrating a new era in prosperity. Ib was impossible for the Oompany to prosper if they did not meet with the eupport of fche farmers. They must procure their wool from them, and in turn" the farmers must consume fcheir wares. The material manufactured was quito capable of being tested on its own merits. Speaking as a Kaiapoi man (the speaker objected to tho term " Kaiapogian ") ho thought tho placo would receive such an impetus from tho re-opening of the factory on a largo scale that would bring ifc in commercial repute. While remembering those who had helped to start it again, they should, however, nofc forget fche man who kept tho mill at Kaiapoi, and but for whoso capital it would have been removed, viz., tho Hon. J. T. Peacock. (Oheers.) There wero many good things which had emanated from Kaiapoi, and ho thought there was a good future for it yet. He coupled the toast wifch

the names of Messrs W. Norman and J. M'Farlane.

Mr Norman briefly responded. Mr Parnham proposed the " Inaurance Companies," coupled with tho name of Mr J. D. Macpherson, who humorously responded.

The Hon J. T. Peacock proposed the health of " The Manager of the Factory, Mr James Woods," which was drunk with enthusiasm. The proposer detailed the circumstances in connection with Mr Woods' engagement with the former Company, which wero very interesting. Mr Woods replied, giving his employees credit for the manner in which they had assisted him, and acknowledging the amount of energy fchey had displayed in getting fche machmery in order for the opening. The proceedings then terminated.