AUCKLAND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 235, 6 October 1886, Page 6

AUCKLAND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

The Auckland Industrial Association mot on Monday, in Robson's Rooms. There wore about GO gontlemen present, comprising many prominent citizens. Mr A. Bell presld- d. Some time was occupied in hearing tho minute. of previous com- ; mittee mootings, from which it appeared that Mr G. Fraser had been selected as President, and Messrs Atkln and Bell as Vice-Presidents, while tho rules of the Canterbury industrial Association had been adopted with somo slight amendments. It was decided that onethird of the committee should^ retire annually and be eligible for re-olection, and that seven should form a quorum. President.—Mr G. Fraser said this gathering was ono of importance, and tho matters which they proposed to deal with were of vital importance to Groat Britain, as well as to the colonies. Tho free trade arrangements would have to be considered over again. What bad done for the past would not do for the future. It had been said that they bad axes to grind, and he for one was prepared to say that he had an axe to grind, and ho intended to grind it well. But his axe was for other people as woll as for himself. Ho would like to sco some gentleman outside the manufacturing trade in tho position of president, and while sensible of the honour tho Committee sought to confer upon him,he would profer to nominate MrA, Boardman instead of himself. This nomination was, however, not pressed. —Mr Lamb inovod that Mr Fraser be Prosidont, and Mr Lodder seconded the resolution, at tho same timo expressing the opinion that a hotter selection could not bo made than the gentleman in question.—Mr Brame spoko to tho motion, and after 22 years' experience oxpreseod disappointment with the commercial condition of tho colony. Ho thought tho remedy lay in getting rid of tho wild radicalism that had run riot in the colony during tho last few year?, and urgod the adoption of protection for theonccuragment of industrial pursuitß.—Mr Fraeor's noin-nation was the only one recoived for tho position of Proeident, and he was unaininoii-ly olectod, nnd took tho chair amidst applause. Ho oxpro-.cd pleasure at the honour done him, and said tho position was one of importance. The question of local industries of tbo colony would havo to bo takon up and considered, both hero and In (iroat Biitain. lie would do his utmost to fulfil tho duties imposed on him. Vice-Presidents.—Messrs C. Atkin and John La rob wore eloctod Vico-Prosidents, Messrs Boardman and Bell declining to accept nomination. In reply to questions. Mr Lamb said ho was jn favour of protection up to a certain point. His opinion of free trade in Great Britain was that it was ruining that country, and ho related the experience of an Englishman who, in a whole day, only used ono single article, which had been mado in his own country Bod blankets, clothes, eggs, wine, and so on wero all imported. OthKit Officers. —Mr John Reid was elected treasurer, Mr J. Ross was appointed to act as secretary till next meeting, and the following wero chosen as committee :— Messrs Bell, Brame, Lodder, Brown, J. Reid, T>. H. McKenzie, Cranwell. 8011, Wayto, Maeon, MuM.lield, Stonhouso, Pye, Gouk, Gee, McCoskrie, Boardman, Jones, Trenwith, Galbraith, Kov. D. Bruce, and tho Hon. Mr Chamberlain. — Mr A. Boardman and the Hon. Mr Chamberlain, M.LC, spoko brieflly in favour of modeiate protection, and Mr Cranwell thought they Bhould endeavour to form n hoalthy public opinion.—The meeting concluded with a hearty voto of thanks t« the gentlemen who had inaugurated tho Association.