N.Z. INDUSTRIES.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18672, 22 April 1926, Page 11

N.Z. INDUSTRIES.

MORE PROTECTION SOUGHT. INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION'S CASE. The need for greater protection of New Zealand manufacturers' interests was urged by the president (Mr E. H. Marriner) at the executive meeting of tho Industrial Association Inst night. Some of New Zealand's industries, Mr Marriner said, were struggling to maintain themselves in competition with foreign manufacturers working under conditions which British workmen would not tolerate. Some of these industries could be doubled and trebled if the Government gave them the assistance they were entitled to. Further, many imports from our late enemy countries were coming into the Dominion free of duty. It was impossible for New Zealand manufacturers to compete with foreign manufacturers and maintain the high standard of living in New Zealand. Mr Marriuer then moved that the following resolution should be sent to all Cabinet Ministers and members of Parliament, and also circulated amongst kindred Associations for support:— ''That this executive of the Industrial Associaton of Canterbury desires to bring under the notice of "tho Government that many important industries of the Dominion are experiencing difficulty in mooting the competition from overseas. Many industries are in a critical state. We respectfully draw the attention of the Government to the fact that our workers enjoy a higher standard of living than workers in similar industries in Great Britain, Ireland, and the Continent of Europe. "The manufacturers of New Zealand hare no desiro whatever to reduce the wages of employees connected with the secondary industries of tho Dominion. "Wo do, however, wish to state that the rates of wages paid to our employees are fixed by the State through the Arbitration Court. _ 'The rates of wages paid bv industrialists in New Zealand are' 80 per cent, higher than the rates in Great Britain; 300 per cent, higher than the rates in Germany, Belgium, and Austria; 900 per cent, and over higher than the other European countries. It is obvious that the extent of protection r<^ e ', m, by the manufacturing concerns or the Dominion through the Customs tariff is insufficient. "The shibboleth-' That the Customs J ana combined with the freight charges from overseas countries should be sufficient protection'—is exploded. Although New Zealand has experienced difficulties, the post-war conditions of the country are more satisfactory than the conditions of many countries of the Old World. "We respectfully ask that an addition of not less than 10 per cent, duty be levied on all manufactured good's imported from overseas to onable tho industrialists of the Dominion to hold their own against unfair competition, and to enable tho standard of wages paid to the workers of Xew Zealand to be maintained. "The classes of goods to which such increased rate would be applied could be the subject of negotiation. "This question of greater assistance from the Government to the manufacturing industries is of such vital importance, that we respectfully ask that this, our request, be treated'as a matter of urgency." Mr S. Jackman spoke in support Of the motion. New Zealand, he said, was now £3,000,000 behind with exports ever imports on the year's- working, and tho position was likely to become calamitous. ■Mr H. Willis also supported the motion, with a recommendation that the resolution should be referred also to the Tariff Committee of the Industrial Corporation and that that committee should keep the position before the Government. The resolution was carried.