THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
413
the kinds of silkworm suited to different countries:
doing what I can to forward the objects of this
and we must also spread information as to reeling
Association. We should remember that, though Free
and other processes. The map shows how large an
Tradehasapparently caused a diminution in the supply
area there is for the culture of silk; and I do not
of silk to this country, and though we are not such
despair of silk being produced in this country. It
successful competitors in the manufacture of silk
has been produced in Ireland; and I have seen silk
with our French neighbours as we were formerly,
from Cornwall and Devonshire quite equal to that in
yet it is a gratifying fact that the throwstering depart-
the natural branch of cocoons now exhibited in this
ment of the silk trade in this country has very much
room, which was presented to me in France some two
increased of late. We are actually now exporting
or three years ago. It should be known that one
large quantities of the produce of our mills to France
acre of ground planted with a good and proper
to be woven in their looms. The increase has been
mulberry-tree, if the land is in a suitable situation,
fivefold this year as compared with last year in our
will produce £100 worth of silk; and I do not know
export of thrown silk from this country to France, and
of anything else the cultivation of which will produce
and I think it is a gratifying and promising state of
so much. From the £100 will have to be deducted,
things. Though we cannot compete in the manufac-
of course, the cost of production; but the labour of
ture, we are able to supply the French with material
two or three young persons for a few weeks in the
for their looms, and we know it is an employment
year is sufficient to produce a pound of silk. It is
which gives the means of living to a great many
not an unreasonable hope to entertain that in many
English people, for I believe there are something
of the southern parts of England silk may be grown;
like 27,000 persons interested in the throwing business
but the grower should not attempt to reel silk; he must
in this country.
be content to grow the mulberry, feed the worm, and
produce the cocoons, and then find a market for them.
Mr. J. HOWELL was called upon to make some
If there were many small producers, a market would
remarks, as the representative of a large London
of course be found. Silk may be grown throughout
house engaged in the sale of silk. He said he simply
the whole of Asia Minor. It is being grown in the
came to the meeting as a listener, but he must add
south of Russia, but the growers do not know how to
that he believed it was a matter of the greatest
reel it, and they are sending cocoons to Moscow and
importance to the trade that the raw material for
other places, where the silk is wasted in the reeling,
the manufacturers should be increased in every
whilst we are starving for want of the raw material.
possible way. With a proper organization, and by
It is with the benevolent view of generally extending
proper information being conveyed to those who were
silk culture that it is proposed to found this
ignorant of silk-growing, he believed more silk might
Association. It may be small in its beginnings, but I
be obtained. Having referred to the cultivation of
doubt not in two or three years we shall see a
silk in Italy in the time of the Romans, he said he
wonderful result from the diffusion of information
thought an article so beautiful as silk wanted a little
generously and liberally distributed in every part of
cherishing—it might be by artificial means. In the
the world.
present age, when we had the power of conveying
information by means of the Press, he thought a great
Mr. BROCKLEHURST, M.P.—It is almost unneces-
deal of good might be done by disseminating whatever
sary that I should be asked to bear witness to the
instructions they could give through the world.
necessity for an increased supply of silk for the
benefit of the silk trade of this country. From what
Mr. T. DICKINS said he held in his hand a copy of
has been said by my colleague, it might be inferred
a French paper, the editor of which had made some
that there had been a considerable diminution in the
observations upon the proposed establishment of the
quantity of silk imported into and used in this
Association. The paper was the Semaphore de
country; but it must be remembered that, since 1860,
Marseilles. The editor had not only addressed a
a considerable proportion of the silk that formerly
letter to Mr. Chadwick, but in his paper he had
came into the English market now finds its way direct
written a long article, showing that the subject had
into France. Formerly, London was the emporium
attracted attention in France. He would only trouble
from which silk was sent into France; and now, a
the meeting with one or two quotations:—" We
large proportion of silk, instead of coming to London
cannot stand by uninterested in this country when
is landed at Marseilles. I rather think the production
an English Association of this nature has been
of silk throughout the world is on the increase.
proposed .We are interested, in a certain measure,
Whether it is so or not, it is certain that in England
in the success of this Association which, well directed,
we have a short supply, and it would benefit us as
may and ought to bring very active and serious
manufacturers and throwsters if silk were lower in
support to repair, to a great extent, the evils and
price, because we know that as cost is diminished
sufferings of silk production. . . One can see that the
consumption increases. It is therefore of great
English, having acquired an exact acquaintance with
importance to us that we should have as large an
the wants and power of production; when once they
increase as possible in the supply of the raw material.
carry their attention to apply a remedy, great benefits
It would find labour for our working classes and dimi-
are sure to follow. . . An abundant supply will follow
nish pauperism, and on that ground alone we ought
this movement. . . This Association, properly
to endeavour to increase the supply. Formerly there
organized, will be to the producers of silk a centre
came to this country a large quantity of the Indian
of action very active and very powerful." Such was
silk of that kind from which Indian bandannas used
the opinion, continued Mr. Dickins, of an important
to be made; and the importation of that silk has
silk paper in France.
almost entirely ceased. We are told there is a greater
absorption of labour than formerly on the railways,
Sir DANIEL COOPER, Bart. (in responding to the
—that other calls for labour have employed those
Chairman's invitation to give his opinion), said he
who formerly raised silk in India; but I am told that
had passed many years on the east coast of Australia,
the cultivation of the silk has to a great extent ceased
and more than twenty years ago this subject of
because there is a want now of those funds which
cultivating silk was started at Sydney, in the hope
the East India Company used to spend in encourag-
that a company might be formed and silk become a
ing silk-growing; and since those funds have been
permanent production in New South Wales. He did
withdrawn, we have found a difficulty in getting as
not think the thing was properly managed or properly
much silk as formerly. I have not much else to say
started; and then the Gold discovery came, and the
except that I shall feel very great interest indeed in
silkworm and cocoons and things of that sort were
and from the botany of Australia, he knew that