N.Z. IRONMASTERS' ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11189, 1 February 1902, Page 7

N.Z. IRONMASTERS' ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEKTING.

Tha annual meeting of the New : Ze;i.lu:iu Ironmasters' Association -was opened ye*■terdey morning in the Employers' Assnd.'itiea'« rooms in Gashed sbreet, Mr Jcihn An dwson (OhTO*ohiurolt) occupying tlhe chair.

The delegates present were:—Chn;tchurch: Messrs J. Anderson, A. Anderson, ■F. J. Anderson, H. J. Hepburn, G. T. Booth, J. Duncan, H. Hepburn. U. Buchanan, A. W. Beaven, T. Waddel), J. L. Scott, T. Donks; Wellington: Messrs W. Cable, J. T. 1/ufce, C. M. Luke, W. Cxwbtree, H. Gaby, And D. Robertson; Dunedin: Messrs W. C. Burt, J. McGregor, A. Black, JV Duncan, and r i. W. Gough.

Tho aiuvujul report was read by the secretary (Mr Winter A. Hall), showing the* the Association had been Jaunched wi-tfh a membership of 35 firms, and the membership was now tihe same. (lb could hordlv be sadd that, the Assooiatdon was in full working order, or that, the benefits received by members hud so far been of any magnitude, but this could hardly be expected as yet. liter© was no doubt such an Assockution should hu-ve been formed iong agu, ai>d wlhatever Httticks the ironmasters and einiployera generu-Hy luwl sutfert?d from the labour party www only sudi as could be expected when it "wae remembered it was not untdl tJie labour unions were in thorough working urd«r, and wosperous fmnes were, passing away, t4»at Wie idea, ol eonvbinutjou anwiig empiloyers was put into execution. Reference wiis made to the ! deputation to I'lvrliaaient with regard to the Factories Bill. With regard to bite schedule of prices agreed upon by tlia \Jen«atul Board, mein&ers would easily recognise that it was in matters of bbis'kind tlmt beneticitiil results might be expected. Indusi«rkl disjnrtcis, leffiata'tkjn, registrar tion, insurance, and meuibershi-p w«re dealt I witli. The ei-edit balance at date now waa £154 19s 10d.

Mr John Anderson said—"ln moving tl» adoption and report of the balance-sheet, 1 would like.to make a few remarks. It ie true that the Association was formed in the first place to enable the employers of engineering firms to combine against any demand of labour which we might consider unjust, and if we succeed in this direction in securing what is, fair and just to capital and labour alike, then the Association has done good work, not omly for itself tout for labour and for the public generally. But I have great hopes that this Association wiU have a rauoh wider range, and instead of the .members of the Association being called upon to spend time, and .have worry and anxiety over for and tmneces* sary disputes, this •Association -will be the forerunner of a sbrong and powerful combination of capital and labour. One has only to look round the country and realise what power for good' such a combination, could create. This Association has no political bias, and therefore any remarks made with regard to the Government Can have no political significance, but o»e oannot help expressing the fact that, while the Government legislated so largely for laJbour, they have done very little U>*<aid the engineering and iron industry in the colony. For instance, some little time ago toe Government took a most inopportune time to call for tenders for the construction of iron waggons. At that time every • engineering firm was full of orders, but the Government irore written to and asked whether there waa likely to foe any further orders beyondl those then odivertised, because if so some engineering firms were prepared to put down a special plant io sapply the requirements. The reply was that their own shops* would in .time be able to overcome the work, with the assistance .given by efcock outside the colony. We know now tun* a. very large order for these was «e»t oat of the codony, and . it has been freely stated, I understand, on the test authority, that these waggons cost more to import and erect than those- made in New Zealand. Then there is the matter of locomotives. I have not been able to get the number of these imported during the last two yearn <nor their value, but it is not unreasonable to say that if the- work w<oß done in the colony a very large amount of their cost would be paid in "wages, and if the Government have a real intention of helping the working classes they should provide for that work being done i» New Zealand, au4 if it is properly gone fthout the cost to the State ehould be very little more than «4> .present. An experiment waa made some years ago in building locomotives tby private firms, but "my contention ie that that, was not a fair one, „ Condidons -were jmt iipon .that contract that no English or American firms would submit to. I' give one instance, steel castings were required, and instead' o*f giving the manefacturer the opportunity of getting' these from tho makers .they were obliged to put up furnaces and make the steel castings within the colony. Was (there ever isucli so absurdity? The Government must- know their ■r-equimrteats, and they must tie' able to them. It is unreasonafbkf to think that fiians who have to obtain special machinery can put a locomotive ;oa the rails as quickly as old established firms in the Old Country oir America* tnjfc giventime and a reasonable, specifictttion, the work Could be -dyne as well in the colony, •but builders muni have soon* assurance (provided .they make a satisfactory job arm at a reasonable price that the work would be continuous, H-ece ore two important items in rolling stock which must go into consumption largely, and give spfendiwl .scope for the combination of capital and iabottr, and if the workmen would irecogsjse that it ' is to their interests to increase out output, and not >pufc on the employer regrfalaons which will retard the industry,- then vee trill - go hand and glove and prove $bft£ New .Zealand possesses both the ability, mdiietry, energy and capital to eupply W own. requirements. It is a mistaken idV that because we pay high price for laboufr thai it is impossible to withstand outside \comp*fcition. Aan©ri'|x pays ihigh price for labour, but h>er workmen put no reKfcitfctions upon the output. As a matter of fact we nave a, most important industry unprotected, and competing successfully with outside competition. I refer to tUe making of ploughs dnd other agricultural implements. In this case the industry in uid«d by the workmen in accepting piece work, and the result is that the output is «o, increased that the industry can be carried on in <a healthy state unaided by protective duties. Another industry that, has grown into a very considerable tuze in New Zealand is that" of stove making. The healthy condition of these industries go to prove "that there i« no difficulty in meeting outside competition, but it is only fair in state that in the case of stove-making jtlott it is protected to the extent of 20 per v*nt.. but I have no doubt that if the earn* conditions were applied to the industry as to plough making it could go -unprotected. Bridge building is also another industry which gives considerable employment, and up till recently we were under the iatfttesion that, taking all into con«d«ration, bridges were constructed as cheaply in K«w Zealand as they could h» imported irom either America or England, but it seems that the progressive American hae of late been persuading the Government that this is not so. In this matter we would not fear competition, provided Wβ had the same conditions as in America, not only with regard to freedom in design, tout we must also, have the same methods in construction as America and England, i.«., our work people must not *eek to restrict "the output by declining to accept piece work or any other mode which in ail probability would increase their w»ge. These area few ideas that have suggested themselves to mc, and I venture to say again that if capital and labour -would join hand in ihand that vre would improve the conditions of the workmen, improve our own condition, and confer benefit on the Sfcite."

Mr Geo. T. Booth weoonded the adoption of the report, remarking that the President's speech had been pregnant with matter for discussion, and he thought the thanks of all were due to their President for his able speech. Mr Danks remarked on the importation of goods which ought to have been made in the colony. The A«sociation should use every endeavour to get everything possible made in the colony by urging upon the Government and the public at large the necessity for enthusiastic support, for the country's adviuitage as a whole. Mr Buchanan endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers, and urged that the employer* should stick toctther- , air McGregor {Dun&dinJ said come ot

{he Dunedin members were ratten , supine )iml wanted stirring up a bit. Hβ Would !k-s to see Mr Hall pay an early visit to Dunexlin, and also to InvercargiU. There were firms there that he thought would join tliem if Mr Hall laid the case properly befi.rs them. " >[r J. L. Scott congratulated the Chairman on his successful year of office, and nuide reference to the bridge contracts and the sending out of the colony for railway tvii'.k?, etc. There was certainly no doubt • that- the conditions of the Government co»----tiacts were not the same for the colonial ensiueers and ironmasters as for the British ami American tenderers. Mr Hurt (Dunedin) emphasised the necessity of the ironmasters standing together nnd abiding loyally by their agreements. ll i hoped by the end of next year to find every' firm in New Zealand in the membership". On the arrival of the Wellington delegates Mr Anderson welcomed them. Mr J. I. Luke (Wellington) said that they must get together for their own safety and the good of the community. Mr C. Luke said he w.as glad to be present : they had met for the common good of the craft, and he thamked the southern men for their welcome. Mr W. Cable expressed pleasure at beins, present at such a representative gathering, of ironmasters. The election of officers was then proceeded with. Mr W. Cable was elected president. Messrs Alex. Burt (Ihmedin), G. Fraser (Auckland), and J. L. Scott (Christchurch) were elected vice-presidents. Messrs J. L. Scott and J. Duncan were elected trustees. Mr Anderson and others remaj-ked on the desirability of shifting the headquarters recurrently to the four chief centTes. The question of accident insurance and the very different assessments made were referred to by the cbairman, and discussion wns called for. Mr Robertson (Wellington) said his op£ nion was if tho ironmasters joined the Km- . ployers' Association in this matter they would be able to< do a good oeal better. Mr'Geo. T. Booth pointed out that an insurance company iras not run on the easiest lines possible. The Indemnity Association, forr.Ved in Christchurch, had been voluntarily abandoned when rat«? had been reduced to& reasonable figure, as he thought they had'"been. As far as the Association could K'/Tely po was to ascertain what rates were paid in other places, and exxust the best terms./ from the insurance ccnnptinies. Mr A. W. JJeaven referred to the many complications iR risks, which the insurance ■ companies had to think cut, accounting for the different premiums. , Ils moved that it should be a suggestion to mcjnibers before concluding new "accident insurance contracts to communicate with the secretary, with a view to obtaining favourable rates throughout the cokciy. .... ! Mr Scott thought thi9 was about as far as they coul«l go. At present his firm was not'insured, nn.d if the rates previously quoted remnined in force they would prefer to take their own risks. • The question was freely discussed in committee. t)( , 4 • ■ ■ Finally, on Mr RobsrtspVs suggestion, the words that "local committees keep the mat- . ter specially in view" were added to Mr ' Booth's resolution, which was then carried ' unanimously. . The secretary explained that an effort, to.register the Association under the title. "New Zealand" Association was not per- ; mitted by the Registrar. It would be, p»r- ---• haps, necessary to register the four centres separately. explained the simple method, .for the purposes of the Act, and obtaining a legal standing, of registering under a local name-ylet it be either Wellington, Ohristchurcfy Dunedin, or Auckland. % Mr Scott said if this met the case he would like to see "Wellington ,, at once . adopted.. The Chairman said it eras only a matter of name, and the members were not going to,take, a small-minded , view. He would therefore move that tUo name be Wellington./, . It; was pointed out tihat the same of the , place of registration bad to be where the majority of members resided. ,It was then decided to register under the local name "Otago," the largest number of 'members residing there. 'Other committee work was then taken.. • ™A* 1 P"2r *ke Conference adjourned to Weroerir Hbtett for tancfoeoa, and aiterwttrae a drive was itaken boforeiceuming the busitftas of the Conference. lunch the Qtautman proposed "The \Mr W. Oaife itiom propoeeot the reiarira f 4 r«?«le«t, Mr John Andersrie, who had fitted the office so ably, / . Mr Andewon, in Krtarmntf thanks, said the Inaunwrtere' Aecociation. was amr in .fuJlLjwing, and slhould pwre not only a . / ibenefit to themselves, but to the whole - -country, ■ ■ r ""M r 'V' CaM** in respondtoig to the toast , of: hte heateh as" Bresidenit, ea id he had 00n- \.., - ■ %**& *"> *«*» *• pwition, -with much daf- ,; .. $d»»e«, but toped for loyall support, add n Saebeat. 7 ; * ' f !£L*'-'¥* Qeo. T. Booth, in responding to the Y#{. .toast of has heafch, proposed , byMr Met,Gr*|or, in «. (humorous eoaecb remarked ' '**& J , "* great nuanber, of *gentsemeii from Tweed, ,, vtba we» iron- /. ... >pa»tew, and, thereforo, ac a "Soutlwon ,, he ■. : r , ,Ua%d withdelight the Aseociatdon. The :C, , f< ; -.*pit l it, of ■tihe times wan t6 awocaoto and ■,; •■ ;carry out operatiare with greater econo- ' '•% \' xamk ttiocees. - , - • ■ * *' *. »V; 'Mr. CM- Luke ■proposec't "Canterbury In- : >;doto-i«i," alkitHog eepeotilly to the good - .--"' work, done by Vix Joan Anderson, senior, £■_,/ the #a.ther of the present bead* * They bad■ one of the finest ■■ I'fi- . ,cppneeriaig, ■work* south, of the Ene in ■\ :\ d<ae ito his «*w>rgy. A wave of • . " been pasaing ovw New Ze4- ---„ ■\»*..Mpd > fiaa, some were incJaned to look «onfe» V •-'.'V*W*c'.rf» oenily at the iotdre. They as • ; . by combining were doing ,', , ■.''•■tffl<> <yy to themselves, 'but in thecelpjng -"* °* *** youog piople <t New 35ce- ■■ h&y' '/i : V-r J< Anderson made feeting reference to }• „ : ' &<j remarks of Mr Luke with regard to hia t- ~J'*\< f Mr J. I/. Scott eaid theoce wap never a . .•-;• in New Zeailand who. was more c V-' gatdtted to'the cooatry'a respeot amongst the early pioneers. , ■ . , ■ f Mr Winter Hall, in responding to bis headith, said the Aesooiartaon faed not worked quite as weH as he hS3 hoped in the past, i but he f«at. sore to-day's meeting had given *• it ft greoA fillip. ,Mr J. L. Scott proposed "The Visitors," coupled wkh the names of Mesas McGregor* Burt, Robertson, and Luke. iMr Robertson said there was "hot the .: . sligotest «se of blinking the fact they were there to help th«nselvea if they could i —bat they could not do it without helping others. Without being a rosy success the ; " Jtssociatton hod done wonders. '" '■',-, Mr S. Luke thought they were, repre- ; eenting the greatest and faost important industry in the colonies with ite allied , , trades. The Government had ktely done the, ouuntry fax injustice in sending out of the colony for tracks. They were, a self- ■ contained people, and could manufacture for . laost of their own requirements. Referring to America, he said tliat the New Zealand •manufacturers not only compared with them, but in certain industries, he thought, would soon surpass the Americans. The other gentlemen associated with the toast also replied. Mr Burt said he believed the meeting Would do much good. ' - Mr J. Lake proposed the heartiest thanks of the visitors to Messrs Jobs, Andrew and Fred. Anderson, end the.Oaoterbury ironmasters for the liberal entertainment provided for the visitors. Messrs Anderson replied. Mr Cable proposed the health, of. the eenior member of tbeir company in Hie person of Mr Thomas Banks. The Utter, in replying, alluded to the necessity for ■ CQOSKKting the economic effect of all they did as members of the Ironmasters' Association. They must have a eolid foundation to work upon. The health of Mr Herbert Duncan (Dun«edin), and the toast of "The Press" concluded proceedings.

~ KVENINO fiITTDJO.

When the Omference resumed at 8.15 business tree taken in Committee. It was decided that Meesrs Geo. T. Booth, A. W. Beaven, J. L. Scott, and J. Anderson be a committee to draw up conditiot« of contract with an arbitration clauf«.

After dealing -with several private matters •ffecljng the trade, and discussing points of aip-exsmem, progress was reported. ' Atttntion was airectbd to a recent die-

cussion in the House in which- <Mr-Russell drew .the attention of. the Minister for Railways to the fact that one thousand railway waggons were purchased in~ England at £160 each, whereas two hurrdred were beine built in Invercargill at £106 each. Sir Joseph Ward had admitted this in his reply. The fact was, one speaker-said, that the waggon* built in England-were exported flat, and not painted, .without axles and wheels. Tenders for similar-wagi gons painted and put together sent in by colonial tenderers at £116 per waggon-were refused. With freight and other cogts the price of the English waggons —was,.*no doubt nearer £170. This showed "want jof consideration for the colonial manufacturers.' ''' ! .' "" .'.'"' After discussion it was resolved:'—"That this Association regrets the action of the Government in calling tenders;: fori the supply of railway trucks at a stated price Of £106, at the same time .placing an; order outside the colony for srmilar trucks at a much higher price, and that ctoopy of;the resolution be forwarded to the* {Minister for Railways." ..«■':.;■, At 11.30 p.m. the business concluded with a hearty vote of thanks to. Mr John Anderson, the chairman, and the retiring president.