8 



whatever has been manifested by the strippers every tree capable 

 of yielding a few pounds weight of bark being ruthlessly destroyed. 



The neglect shown in fostering the growth of young wattles led 

 the tanners to make strong representations on the necessity for 

 imposing stringent regulations, and otherwise restricting the opera- 

 tions of the strippers. Several of the tanners advocated the impo- 

 sition of a duty on the exportation of bark, and others went so far 

 in their evidence before the Board as to recommend the framing of 

 regulations as well as the imposition of a duty. Every witness, 

 however, asserted that their only desire was to ensure the adoption 

 of some measures for the establishment of the bark supply on a 

 permanent footing. In the event of this end being secured, they 

 confidently asserted that a large increase in the tanning trade would 

 follow as a natural result. 



The Board, in the course of their inspection of the resources 

 of the wattle-growing districts, were afforded many opportunities of 

 estimating the value and extent of the tanning industry. They had 

 ocular demonstration of its importance, and also of the fact that 

 the machinery and appliances were all of the highest type ; having 

 involved a heavy outlay of capital, the aggregate result being the 

 manufacture of a superior article, partly, of course, owing to the 

 employment of a high standard of industrial ability. It therefore 

 became evident to the Board that the future of the tanning industry 

 in this colony depended almost entirely on the conservation of the 

 wattles ; and bearing in mind the abundance of the natural supply, 

 and the advantages that have accrued therefrom, the Board are of 

 opinion that special efforts should be made, without delay, to en- 

 courage the development of the bark trade. There appears to be a 

 general agreement between the tanners and other purchasers of 

 bark, on the one side, and the vendors on the other, that the prices 

 at present paid would be mutually satisfactory. At any price 

 between 5 and 5 10s. per ton, it would pay to conserve wattles 

 for the sake of their bark, and both the producers and tanners 

 would be satisfied at that figure. 



The Board carefully considered the expediency of recommending 

 measures for the augmentation of the supply in years to come, and 

 also to elevate the bark trade into the position of a national 

 industry. Ever since the first utilisation of the wattle bark in this 

 colony, the operations of the strippers have been comparatively free 

 from regulations or restrictions of any kind, and the result has 

 naturally been disastrous. At the commencement of the industry 

 the men employed only stripped mature trees, the bark from which 

 possessed the full natural strength. Year by year, however, the 

 number of mature trees was decreased, the consequence being that, 

 in order to obtain easily the quantity required, small trees were 

 denuded, the bark of which was poor in quality. The tanners were 



