142 On the Resources of Victoria, 



the details of our exports and imports induces a painful 

 impression that we are doing for ourselves only a little of 

 what we could and ought, considering our capabilities. 



On the subject of successfully introducing manufactures 

 among us, I was at first rather sceptical, considering the high 

 rates of labor ; but I have not been satisfied with vague sur- 

 mises, and my researches after facts have put me in posses- 

 sion of many pieces of information, which only require to be 

 acted upon, to considerably enlarge the industrial resources 

 of this colony. 



The introduction of manufactures is not the main feature 

 of this particular paper — it will form the subject of another. 

 It is glanced at here, however, because of its great import- 

 ance, and the firm conviction that we can manufacture many 

 kinds of articles here to compete with those imported ; I can 

 with confidence refer to some of the advantages which the 

 introduction of manufactures would confer upon us. 



Besides the profits accruing from the establishment of 

 manufactures, the projectors and introducers of such would 

 serve a higher purpose, in the general advancement of the co- 

 lony. The class of artisans would be increased and encouraged. 

 "We should have colonial designs suited to our colonial wants, 

 and these would require colonial designers. The amount of 

 popular intelligence would be elevated, and the now rising 

 generation of Australia, who inherit the mechanical genius 

 and inventive energy of their forefathers, would put the same 

 into practice ; while, on the other hand, the production of 

 raw materials alone, which is the present staple of colonial 

 industry, requires very little exercise of intellect, as it is 

 generally carried out with unskilled labor. 



Only a few young Australians have now a chance of rising 

 in the world as merchants ; and if the rest dislike going into 

 the interior to mine for gold, or to keep sheep or cattle, or 

 are above keeping a butcher's or baker's shop, or drapery, or 

 grocery, or public-house, their only resource is to obtain Go- 

 vernment employment, or enter a solicitor's, land agent's, 

 or broker's office — most of which branches of business are 

 overstocked in the colony. 



Manufactures would open an healthy outlet for colonial 

 industry, invention, and enterprise for the present and future 

 generations. And while the production of raw materials 

 gives employment to only a few in the lowest order of labor, 

 manufactures would require a division of skilled labor, and 

 diffuse benefits among the general population. 



