INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9834, 17 September 1897, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

(The ordinary meeting of fclie Committee of the Canterbury Industrial Association, was held last night. Present—Messrs J. R. Triggs (President), N. Jowett, B. Allan, R. C. Bishop, H. B. Kirk, R. Maddren, T. N. Horsley, J. A. Frostick, A. W. Boaven, A. 6. Howland, W. Cogan and G. R. Hart. Before tho business oi tho evening waa proceeded with, Mr Howland referred to the death of the late Sir W. Jervbis, who was at ono time patron of the Association. He moved— " That a Sub-Committee, comprising the President and Mr Frostick, be appointed to prepare a letter of condolence to the relatives."

Mr Beavkn seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Tho Chairman read the report as to the visit of the delegates from Wellington to the Conference. He /aid a high tribute to the hospitality shown by Mr R. C. Bishop and tho help given to the delegates of tho Association here in entertaining the visitors and showing them the various industries of Canterbury. He also read the balancesheet and moved the adoption of it with the report. Mr Horsley. seconded the motion, which was agreed t*. Mr Hart moved— , ' That a very hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr R. O. Bishop for hia generous hospitality during the visit of tho delegates and assistance to render their trip an enjoyable one." Mr Howlasd seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr Bishop said ho thanked them for tb« kindly manner in which the Committee hsd spoken of him. Ho had seen far more of their local industries during that period than liefore, and had been astonished at their magnitude and extent. With the knowledge he had gained during that week he had beau able to give some of his friends information as to industries which they patronised in opposition to the imported goods.

Mr Frostick said that during the week the delegates wore here there was quite a spurt in the matter of enquiries for local industries, and he could not help thinking that such gatherings as those and the holding of Exhibitions would tend to the popularisation of our local manufactures.

On the motion of Mr Howland a vote of thanks was given to the delegates of the Association for tho excellent work done by them.

Correspondence was read as under: From the Chamber of Cemmorce, Auok* land, stating that tho Chamber did not see that there was any possibility of an Industrial Association being formed in Auokland, as the Chamber itself carried out tho duties and objects which such an Association would discharge. From the Lyttelton Borough Council, asking to bo supplied with a copy of the tests of English and colonial cement which the Association had made. The Secretary reported that the information had been sent.

From the Wellington Industrial Asgooiation, thanking the Association for thf hospitality and assistance given to theu delegates. Mr Horslky reported that Mr Allan and himself had waited on Mr Kent and had a long conversation with him on the subject of establishing an Industrial Association in Auckland. After a considerable amount of discussion tho general opinion seemed to be that an Industrial Association would clash with the other bodies now existing. Mi Allan and himself had therefore done nothing further. Tho exhibition matters there h< might say were in the hands of manufao* turera and. merchants, and seemed to be progressing favourably. They had f guarantee fund of £3000, and were going ta approach the Government with a view oi obtaining a subsidy of £1000, on thr ground that they intended to raakt a feature of the mining industry. He had gone into the cement industry whilst he was in Auckland, and found that their output was 3500 tons per year, which was all sold. Auckland was now producing 26,000 barrels, and the imports into New Zealand last year amounted to 7000 barrels. The annual output of Auckland had risen from 1890 to 1895 from 900 to 1800 tons. The present output was 4000 tons or 1000 i bags; per week. Thie was irrespective of Duriedin. So that they would see that the cement industry was prospering. The cement manufacturers in Auokiand were prospering well, and they desired to thank the Association for the steps taken by them here in the direction of helping the* industry. A vote of thanks to Metiers Horsley and Allen waa passed unanimously. Mr Fkostick thought that as the Chambei of Commerce had handed over the conduct of the exhibition to the merchants and manufacturers, the Association should urge upon the Exhibition Committee the advisablenesa of forming themselves into an Industrial Association after the Exhibition was concluded.

The President and Mr Howr-AND though* Mr Frostick's suggestion was a good one and that the Committee) should aob upon it. Mr FuosTioK moved—" That the Secretary communicate with the Exhibition Executive at Auckland, stating that the Committee and the Canterbury Industrial Association will be - happy to assist the Exhibition aa much as poseune." Mr Kibk seconded the motion, whioh was carried.

Mr Frostiok suggested that the Committee should take stops to endeavour to have the colonial cement used in the erection of the Clock Tower. He might say he had received a letter from the Auckland manufacturers, stating that they would be prepared to allow of any tests being made as to the applicability of the cement. Mr BEA.VBN moved—"That the City Surveyor be approached with a view of using the colonial cement in the Clock Tower, and also tho architeota of the Jubilee Home. That che President and Vice-Pre-sidents be the Sub-Committee to carry out this resolution."

Mr Kirk seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Allan moved—" Thafc the Colonial Sugar Company be requested to furnish' this Association with particulars as to their industry, and also their reasons for requiring ft higher rate on beet sugar." Mr How&and seconded the motion.

Mr Fkostiok said as a member of the Committee, of the Chamber of Com* mei'ce he felt sure that Chamber was thoroughly in sympathy with the work of the Industrial Association, The object of the Chamber of Commerce was the greatest good to the greater number, aud this could be obtained by the develop* ment of their industries.

Mr Allan said he bad no idea of reflecting on the Chamber of Commerce. On the contrary, he knew that a good many of the members had the success of their industries thoroughly at heart. The motion was then put and agreed to. It was resolved that a general meeting of the Association, to .elect delegates to the Federation, be held on Thursday, 30th insfe. Mr W. Rollitb was appointed aa a member of the Committee to fill a vacancy.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs Nairn and Son for their gift of table decorations on the occasion of the banquet to the delegates.

Mr Frostiok said that the Masters and Apprentices Bill was, he understood, coming before the House in the shape thai it was introduced by the Hon. W. P. Reeves- Hβ therefore thought tho Association should take Bteps to watch labour legislation. Hβ would move—" That a, Labour Bills Committee be appointed to watch proposed labour legislation during the coining session of Parliame&t, the Committee to be empowered to correspond with the Wellington Association and to send a delegate to Wellington if considered advisable. The Committee to consist of Messrs Triggs, Beaven, Kirk , Scott and the mover." Mr Jowett seconded the motion which was carried. Mr Beavbht moved—"That the note annual meeting of tbe Association be preceded by a dinner to enhance its social attractions." The Chamber of Commerce had inaugurated a very good practice in connection with their annual meeting, a practice which he thought they could not do better than follow. Mr Kirk seconded the motion. Mr Hobslev suggested that the mean lot the dinner should consist entirely of oolonW production©. (Hear, hear.) The motion was put and earned. Messrs G. Moon and S. Quane were elected members of the Association. Mr KIBK urged that the Aaaociattoß should take steps with other bodwa «f «£g» ufion th« Qovfnunent «he wocraifewtf-ees*

pfeting the Weet CoMt RsUwsy. He understood that the Premier whilst in England had obtained information ac to the probability of the Company carrying on the railway. Hβ thought they ought to have a meeting at once to urge the immediate construction of the railway. A large amount of surplus labour would be absorbed, and he thouidit that now was the time to press the matter on the atteutiou of the Government. He would move—" That a .Sub-Committee comprising Messrs Allan, Howland, Scott, Kirk, and Hancock, with power to add to their number, be appointed to co-operate with the Chamber of Commerce in the ni.tiler of tho West Coast Railway." Mv Bkavk.v seconded the motion, which H-ft'< agreed to. The meeting then adjourned.