INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9669, 6 March 1897, Page 9

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

. -—»- A meeting of the Committee of the Psntcihury Industrial Association was held htt ni.hU Present—Messrs J. R. Tiiggs mkiiTont), N. Jowett, H. B. Kirk, A. U. fcrtrland, R. C Bishop, W. Congreve, J. A. Prostwl*, R- Buchanan and R. Allan. .-.ilocics for absence were received from E J. Waller and T. N. Horsley. Sir W. Dcvenish Meares was elected a -ember of the Association. 'J'ho revised rules, with a little alteration _■ t _, t . following addition, were passed :— • Jrj* oC the purposo of assisting and advising the Association to deal with matters connected ffi-h thc distribution and consumption of goods made in tho colony and other , ,-jttcrs the Association may establish a Udies' or other section of the Association, «bo shall fix tho amount of the annual subgcription and membership thereto. All _jle_ made by any section to be consistent w jth the general rules of tho Association pjjess otherwise provided for." - Another meeting of the Committee was rabsequently held, at which the rules were A ireneral meeting of the members of tho _A sS oci<ition was held at eight o'clock, Mr J. R. Triffg3 in the chair. The rules as revised and recommended by ♦he Committee were adopted, and a special vote of thanks was accorded to the members cf the sub Committee who had drafted them. y r R. Allan brought up the matter of the manufacture of sugar from beet, and " That tho Government be reoaested to supply the Association with all the particulars they have on tho subject of the manufacture of sugar from boet." Mr H. B. Kirk seconded the motion, ir_ich was carried unanimously. Mr Jons Holmes, who is proceeding to Europe in connection with the flax industry, was introduced by tho Chairman to the meeting, which he addressed. He sketched the hißtory of the New Zealand flax trade, snd drew attention to its fluctuations, its UM in value from over £300,000 to £21,000, «id observed ;hct if properly established it -ronld find employment for 4000 or 5000 persons. The object of his mission was to find out all information possible respecting the prospects of reviving the trade and the improvements necessary. The Government had granted £250 towards the cojfc conditionally that £250 also was raised from the people, traders and flax-millers. He came to Christchurch to ask the cooperation of the Association, for he took it that it was tho duty of Industrial Associations to help the development of the natural resources of tho country, and he knew none that were better than New Zealand flax, first, because it was a waste product; second, because it was indigenous to the 'soil; and third, because it would give em- • iloymont to many thousands of persons. 1 The question was discussed by the members present, after which Mr Bishop moved ■" _-*"That in view of the great importance the revival of the flax industry will bo to the trade and commerce of the colony, this . Association heartily approves the endeavours how being made to re-establish tho trade, »nd will use its best efforts to assist so desirable an object. This Association would also urge the Government to in.i-ease the grant already made, so as to enable the Bcopo of tho proposed inquiry to bo as comprehensive as possible, and that the sum of £10 be voted as a contribution towards the object by this Association." Mr Kirk seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Holmes for his address and information. • Tho proceedings then closed, and a further general meeting was held, at which tho adoption of the rules was confirmed.