INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL CONVERSAZIONE.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7018, 21 March 1888, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL CONVERSAZIONE.

The 3nnnal Conversazione of the Industrial Association owned on March Wtn at the Tuam Street Hall, when there was a fair attendance. . . ... Mr G. T. Booth, the President of the As«ociation,deliveredtheopeningaddress. Worehip the Mayor would deliver the opening address for us. Unfortunate y his Worship has found himself unable to be present, and under these circumstances I feel c ure you will not look for a long speech from mc. It is perhaps no news to tou that the Industrial Association of Canterbury was founded for the purpose of aiding, "fostering, and encouraging the industries and productions of evv Zealand, and I think you will agree with mc that this is a most laudable object, ana that our efforts are deserving of success. t i«ht at the bottom of our constitution is this underlying principle that if we wish to see this country fulfil its proper destiny and become great and prosperous, supporting a large, industrious, and happy population, we must by no means neglect our industries. That this wish is general jnav be taken for granted, and that the development of our natural and industrial resources is an important factor in its accomplishment is easily deduced from what we know of the growth and greatof our Mother Country and her giant offshoot the 'United States of An - erica. In our desire, to carry out our design we hold this annual conversazione for the purpose of bringing before the public an exhibition of what our local manufacturers are doiug to supply our everyday wants, to familiarise the public with these productions, and to induce, as far as possible, larger consumption of the same. Our success in this eilort is to be measured not by the r.uount of money taken at the door, nor by the value we give for the eiitrance-mouey in the shape of entertainments, but Uγ* the increased demand for the loeally-ma'de goods, samples of which you see around you. This increased de■"maud will lead 10 the opening of larger 'fields for the employment of our boys and girK We hope that it will also lead to an increase of our population, that «8 the ripple caused by the little pebble thrown into the water spreads, it would increase in volume and importance, and will eventually lead to an inriux into our colouy of settlers, capitalists, and workmen, "to take up and work our now vacant lands—to developo our vast mineral resources, and to make New Zealand advance in prosperity and greatness veritably "by leaps and bounds." In short, the lesson we wish our people to learn is the lesson of self-reliance. We must learn to help ourselves, to make the most of our resources, and to render ourselves independent to a much greater extent than at present of outside assistance, whether in the shape of labor, goods, or capital This is not the place, nor do I feel inclined at present to indicate all the expedients which we think should be adopted to bring about this much desired ] result, but I feel safe iv saying that a great '< deal can be done without adding to the burdens of the taxpayers. The most pressing necessity exists for our finding constant and profitable employment for the workmen at present in the colony, and for the boys who are growing up into manhood, for on this depend* to a very great extent the success of our agriculturists. It seems to me' a most grievous thing that week after week there is going on a steady exodus of skilled mechanics from our shores, and young men who were being trained here la the industrial arts. It seems strange

that this should happen in a country «o young as this and so amply endowed by -nature with all that is necessary to render existence not only possible, but pleasant. We must find means for checking this ttodus and inducing a counter current of Immigration. We naturally look to the Goyernment to so direct the affairs af.tiie colony as to do this. We think employment should be found for our "workmen in the manufacture of many lines of goods* now imported for public works. We think,, also that the qtftstion of, whether,the country .i* jesti-; fed in carrying on -manufactures in the Government shops to the prejudice of private interests demands close discussion. We think that encouragement should be given to the establishment of new industries and the development of existing ones. But while we expect a great deal of the Government which represents the population of the colony and of minor public bodies who have the die poxal of public funds, a great deal still remains u> our own individual hands. The producer depends on the consumer as nstreh as the consuirer on the producer, and if every resident of the colony would only decide on using as far as possible locally produced goods the effect on our industries would be magical, and our surplus labor would so<sn be absorbed. I will now bid you welcome, and express the hope that what you see and hear tonight and the following nights will please you. . * As the exhibits are not yet all complete a brief and cursory survey of those sent in is all that can be made at present. The Heathcote Wire Kail Company exhibited a collection of wire nails of all kinds sod sizes. Messrs Dutch and Ball had a good collection ot photographs, and close by were brushes irom the steam brush *orks of Mr £L J. Shaw, and knife-boards from Mr F. Hitchings, Durham street, Sydenham. Mr J. Drapper exhibited a quaatiiy of paper bags of all sizes. Miss A- Toomer exnibiUid several oil paintings &wi water colours, and Miss Rosa Bodden seal two flower pictures, "Lilies" and "Sunflowers." Messrs Toomer Bros, sad a good ease of boots and shoes, Messrs Aulsebrook and Co. had an 'exhibit comprising between sixty and Seventy duTerent kinds of confections. •>hey have recently imported the latest improved machinery for manufacturing koeuges, &c, and have now oue of the BUtet complete plants in the Southern Hemisphere. They have also sixty different kinds of biscuits packed in the enliaary large tins, and in small ornamental tins of lib weight. Aerated flour •« exhibited in paper and calico bags, «*d candied peel of all kinds are also wibited by the firm. The Christchurch : Biscuit Company exhibited about thirty •Wts of biscuits, besides cakes of all fcwds, Next to this Mr Edwards has a P»d exhibit of baking and egg powders. ** Beuson exhibited perambulators, coairst, and a general assortment of wicker *<*fc ileahrs Ford and Ogden's exhibit pottery of all kinds, fire bricks, «c The iudustriai Association sent the J*«tty collection of Native woods frpm ■««a: rooms. Mr A. J. White had a nicely ««*d up.rooiu, aud also exhibited some •wined glass windows. Messrs Standish «aa tretce have a very good case of pbo*°Saptts,and l close by Mr J. T. Matson had iF*~p i-t gonial iy-grown ostrich feathers. JBetras CorapaiiV had a very excellent ex™«t, a cuinprihing all the cooking appli•octa which h a ve recently been so «*>qu«ntly expatiated upon by "Mrs Fawcett l ne novelty exhibited w as a stove o«s'ufactured by the Gas Company themTk- -* from deigns by Mr Hutchinson, J?-, ** a ver ? fine stove, and one which **-i, aodoubr, become quite as popular as ?r-'. P» the imported ones. Mr E. W. exhibited a seed case, which £**»_ arsst prize at the Metropolitan 2*°£- r Mitchell, of the ZeajMKUi Gupet Factory, had an exhibit ?J*rpeta of various kinds. Mr Lam-y»-exhibited a very interesting set * «,• rvto,t «;tnral drawings, including •«yi!gefited design for jubilee fountain lv^f ,>Latue - Three °« paintings of •"eauagton, past, present, and future, also

attracted a good dea of attention. Messrs J. and T. Danks exhibited a good case of brass work and a model of a Titan windmill Messrs Andrews and Beaven exhibited a patent churn. From one of these Mr John Grigg has. taken 1911b of butter at one churning. There will, therefore.be no necessity for the importation of churns for the proposed creameries. Mr Percy Nind Ward exhibits a collection of bSes Mr Noble sends two cases of scientific instruments which are weU finished. The New Zealand Y*S°Mr Works. Auckland, send varnish and Mr T N Horsley sends specimens of iron and Ju&nSituiwi Onehunga Iron chines of all kinds, as in use at tde fSrV -they also give a very Rpod display SffS knd mauds 8 Mr■ T-Atkinson two cooking ranges, and Mr T. J. Watters one Melsre For Vest and Son have a good exhibit of cardboard boxes, &c. In the evening a concert was given The Mvftery at the back of the stage, where they entertained countless visitors during the evening.