INDUSTRIAL.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15657, 1 August 1916, Page 4

INDUSTRIAL.

ASSOCIATION

MEETING OF CO3IMITTEE,

A meeting of thc committee of the Canterbury Industrial Association was held last evening to rcceive reports of sub-committees "appointed to interview various trades' representatives, 1 and also the report of tho sub-com-mittee appointed to preoaro a platform for the proposed Board of Industries, which is to bo laid beforo a meeting of the recently-appointed executive, ai> an.early date. Mr A. F. Drayton, vice-chairman, presided. Tho committeo appointed to meet confectionery manufacturers reported that while those present expressed themselves as favourable to the proposals for the formation of a Board of Industries, thoy felt it would be better to lay the matter before other manufacturers before definitely appointing representatives, promising to advise tlio secretary at an early date of 6uclt appointments. The report of the meeting of the subcommittee with the plumbers, streot metal workers, and tinsmiths, stated that 'the representatives of these industries evinced the keenest interest in the Association's proposals, all promising hearty support. • At tho meeting with representatives of tho wholesale clothing manufacturers,- it was pointed out that the tariff on woollens was 20 per cent., while clothing only earned 25 per cent., thus- leaving a narrow margin of o per cent, in favour of the colonial clothing manufacturers. It was thought that a vigorous move should now be made with a view tp improving the industrial position. It was _.also pointed out that some importatiolß" of tweeds, woollens, etc., wotild bo absolutely necessary, it being contended that colonial mills could not supply tho demands of the whole of thc clothing manufacturers in Now Zealand if they were asked to do so. It was" considered that the public should not be educated without the additional pressure of a favourable tariff. After considerable discussion tho motion was carried heartily supporting the Association's proposals, and representatives were appointed. Thc committeo appointed to \ meet representatives of tho printing industry reported that some members seemed to be afraid of the protection issue, but it was pointed out that in the case of cooking ranges, the imposition ot a 25 per cent, tariff on importation had had the effect in the course of years ot competitive manufacture, of decreasing the price of ranges to the user noarlv 50 per cent. _ After considerable discussion a motion was earned in support of the Associations proppsals, and delegates were then apof the sub-committee appointed to prepare a platform for tho proposed Board of Industries was received, and discussed at lengtli.