N.Z. INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 254, 27 October 1938, Page 12

N.Z. INDUSTRY.

MANUFACTURES YEAR.

PRODUCTION HANDICAPS.

REPORT OF ASSOCIATION.

"At the ft art of the year manufacturers in many lines foresaw the certainty of their businesses being adversely affected by an abnormal amount of importations in competition with local manufactures. Increased wage rate?*, the effect of a shortened working week and pay for holidays have all tended to place n handicap on New Zealand production," state* the .Vind annual report of the AiK'klaud Manufacturers' Association, which will be presented at the annual meeting on Thursday, November 10.

The report says that early in tlie ye«r it whs found necessary to make representations t<> tin- < l»veminent concerning the condition-' prevailing in numerous industries owing to declining output as a result of overseas com pet itioii. After many meetings and nniner- """ deputations by tin- federat ion. the Government finally introduced an amended tariff schedule on .March 1. The tariff nmcndmciits affected Australian importations under 'JS headings, (anadin 11 under 2.'! and Britain under

"Some industries felt the 1 benefit of the new tariff more than others, and trade was stimulated both in Auckland and throughout New Zealand," states the report.

"Realising the great advantage that would a<-crue to industry as well as to the country through increased employment if the Government, which now enters so largely into business activities, would itself buy its requirements in New Zealand, the association has stressed the necessity for a better understanding with (lovernment purchasing J>epartments. and lias not failed to direct the attention of the Government to those lapses where '.rood* have lieen ordered overseas which could be efficiently manufactured in this country." states the report. More could still he accomplished in this direction.

While the association wa< not actively engaged in making award*, the report continue*, it was nevertheless concerned about their operation as they affected manufacturing industries. The committee had drawn attention to the absence of any basic principle for fixation of wages; it had been concerned by the pronouncement that it was no function of the Court to ascertain whether an industry was able to pay an increased wage* rate; and it had directed attention to the confusion created by overlapping of awards in industry. The association had co-o|ierated in May with the A. and P. Association for an exhibition at E|>som Showgrounds. Financially the show had been a success, but heavy expenditure of a capital nature had been involved in pre|mration of the grounds and buildings. Negotiations were still in progress with the A. and P. Association regarding methods of . allocating this expenditure.

Membership during the year had been maintained, and now stood at o"0. fifteen in execs* of the figure at the beginning of the vear.

The year ended with a surplus of £273. Subscriptions were in excess of last year's receipt*, the report states, members having raised the scale of contribution in anticipation of decreased revenue from the W T inter Show, which this year was £300 ajrainst £1031 last year, a decrease of tf73l.