LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2783, 12 January 1869, Page 3

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

We are quite sure that the day is not distant when the colonists of New Zealand will have to rely more upon themselves, and less upon imports from abroad for the production of those articles which are required for " home consumption" and of which we have a larger supply of the raw material required for their manufacture. The following remarks made by the Geelong Advertiser with reference to Victoria are equally applicable to New Zealand. "At one time" says that journal, " Sydney tweeds were in considerable demand in Victoria, as well as in the colony where they were manufactured. But the Golden era set in and this, like other enterprises, was checked for a time, by reason of the high rate of labor. Within the last six years, howevei', this manufacture has again made great headway. There are at present five factories at work, producing 6100 yards of cloth weekly, the number of spindlts working being 3560, and looms 69. The manufacturers have displayed great energy and enterprise, and they are likely to be rewarded, as there is a constantly growing demand for the articles produced, and repeated additions to the machinery have had to be made to keep pace therewith. The mills give employment to 215 hands, whose wages average from 30s to 60a per week. TUere are also six large soap and candle works in operation, producing about 43 tons soap and 10 tons candles weekly. There are also several boiling down establishments, one of which has machinery equal to rendering down 600 tons per week. It is satisfactory to note the enterprise of those thus engaged in the neighboring colony. It is a sure sign of prosperity worthy of being emulated by the Victorians. The price of wool is likely to be maintained in proportion as we~can use up the raw material in the colony, whatever other causes of fluctuation may be in operation. There is every incentive at the present time to enter largely into manufacturing pursuits. JVloney is plentiful, labor (if WO may judge from the number of men applying to Captain Stack for enrolment in the New Zealand Contingent) is plentiful, and wool is low — all proving that a large marginal profit would result from the employment of capital in this direction. The establishment of factories is the more desirable when we consider what beneficial results would accrue. Once started, the colony would become tho seat of manufacturing enterprise. Employment would be given to the present surplus population, and others would be attracted to our shores more by this means than by the aid of any colonial representatives. The overplus wool now grown would be absorbed, and a new era of prosperity ushered in. In the establishment of the Victorian Woollen Company at the Barwon, and the commencement of another of the same character, we have, we trust, the earnests of still grenter things to be accomplished. We see no reason why i we should continue to export the raw material to so great an extent, and import manufactured cloth when we have every facility for doing the work in the colony. What New South Wales has done, Victoria can do likewise. The promotion of this and every other enterprise will be the sure means of accomplishing the greatest amount of individual prosperity.