Concern At Representation At Industrial Conference

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29222, 4 June 1960, Page 14

Concern At Representation At Industrial Conference

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 3.

Although they commend the Government’s action in calling the forthcoming industrial development conference, retailers and importers are concerned that their interests may not be adequately represented at the conference. The New Zealand Retailers' Federation will be limited to one delegate, and the United Kingdom and New Zealand Representatives’ Association has not been invited to participate. The secretary of Federated Farmers (Mr A. P. O’Shea) declined to comment today on the representation of farming interests but it is believed that the federation is also disappointed with the number of delegates it will have at the conference.

"Although it is appreciated that the nature of the conference justifies considerable manufacturing representation, the part distribution must play in an expanded industrial economy should not be overlooked,” said Mr E. H. White, the president of the New Zealand Retailers’ Federation.

The federation, a national body representing 15 district associations, was limited to one delegate, whereas manufacturers, in addition to their national federation, had been invited to send delegates from each of their district associations, he said. To these must be added delegates from every separate manufacturing interest within the manufacturers’ federation. It appeared that invitations to manufacturing interests would permit them to muster 33 delegates with provision for additional representation from other groups. “The federation is of the opinion that the unbalance in representation will result in difficulties in arriving at factual conclusions,” said Mr White.

The president of the United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives’ Association (Mr G. E. Stock) said that while the Government’s action in calling the conference was to be commended, the association felt that from its rather specialised knowledge of overseas conditions, it might have some contribution to make.

“As we are lot invited to participate, we are unable to make any constructive comment on the likelihood of the aims of the conveners being achieved,” he said. “We would, however, draw attention to the far-reaching consequences for either good or bad which could arise from the conference It is very desirable that before their adoption as being universally acceptable, all resolutions or opinions expressed, be ratified only after ample consideration by organisations and individual interests.”

About 400 delegates would be attending the conference. a spokesman for the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Holloway) said today “Manufacturers’ associations will not by any means have ,an overwhelming representation.” he said. “Many branches of other organisations, such as the wholesalers. have also been invited.”