INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 42, 13 November 1907, Page 8

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

THE HOLIDAYS QUESTION. DUTY ON FLOUR. A largely-attended meeting of tho Indus trial Association was held last night, Mr.-A, W. Newton presiding. CORRESPONDENCE. The Hon. J. A. Millar wrote acknowledge ing a letter from tho Association congratulat ing the Government on the tariff alterations. He stated that it would always be his endoavpur to do what he could to foster the Dominion's industries.

The Canterbury Association wrote in reference to the'lndustrial and Provincial Corporation, which is being revived by the Wellington body. The rules were approved by tho Canterbury Association, and a Council was elected.

FLOUR AND WHEAT. Telegrams wore received from tho Auckland. Industrial Association as follows:—" Members of our Association strongly object to Government interference with duties affecting Dominion's industries in i the manner proposed respecting whoat and flour"; and also: "Is your Association watching Government's action re proposed regulation of prices of wheat and flour with a view to preventing the same regulation being applied to othor industries?" Mr. J. P. Luko said they thoroughly understood thsrt in building up tho industries of the Dominion there must be regulating legis» lation, and he believed that the Bill that it was proposed to bring forward would bo of a judicious nature. When flour or notatoea or such commodities rose to a certain price it was the duty of the Government to put into operation some clause that would enable th'o ( duty to be taken off temporarily. But personally he did not want"to see tho Associar tion enter into strife on the question. Tha farmer was as much entitled to protection as any other member of the community, but it was a matter that deserved very careful consideration. Ho moved that the communications be received. Mr. Winder seconded. The Secretary, Mr. H. F. Allen, pointed out that tho master bakers were very much against any increased exemptions in regard to flour duty./ There was the-probability that farmers might cease to grow grain, and dovote thoir attention to wool instead; then New Zealand would be at tho mercy of foreign markets, and the price of bread would be higkor than ever. Owing to the increased cost of bread thero was far less eaten now than hitherto. The bakers themselves would be very glad tt see the price of flour go down, so as to reduce tho cost of the loaf and increase the "consumption. He considered it would be a mistako in the interests of the Dominion to do what the Government was suggesting. : Mr. J. Smith considered that so long aj wheat brought anything like_ a \rcasonabla price it would pay to produce ifc7 as the vast majority of people had to eat bread. Whon wheat or flour was scarce it should hi? allowed to be imported into tho Dominion. Mr. Ballinger considered that the greatest combine of all was the labour combine. I* was only of late years that they had found the farm labourers being brought into line with other workers, and in view of develop ments some such legislation as suggested war ■necessary. ■ ■Mr. Luke: -"But we should not starve tha. people in the meantime." Mr.. C. E.'Carter pointed out that the same might be made to'apply to other industries in .tbe_ future. The motion was carried. THE CARNIVAL WEEK. The question of amalgamating all the holidays and making a Carnival Week in Wellington again came under discussion. The sub-committee appointed to consider the matter made the following, recommendation: "That all holidays should be deleted, witl the exception of Good Friday and Eastei Monday, and that the Government be asked to make statutory holidays in all awards of the Arbitration Court as follows-.—From Christmas Eve to January 2, exemptions to be granted to trades dealing in perishable goods; and that the Employers' Association. Chamber of Commerce, aud Trades' Council bo communicated with and asked for expressions of opinion." '"'■'•,' Mr. Winder supported the _ recommendstion, hut considered that.it did not'go far enough. It helped the masters, but not tho assistants as much as could be desired.

air. Carter spoke of the advantages of carnival week. The various attractions would not only tend to keep the residents' in town, but would bring visitors froin outside. Tha shops could remain open during the mornings, and would, reap a good harvest. Mr. G. P. Luke favoured the idea, but held that the date suggested was the wrong time of the year. He thought there would bo too long an interval between the holidays. He hoped the matter would be further considered by the Committee. The Committee' should draw up a programme of attractionseducational as well as entertaining—and fix upon a suitable week. ■ .Mr. Smith said Wellington was at a great disadvantage in' making a carnival week; it, was not like Christchurch or Palmerston, and* it had only its harbour to rely on. ' j Mr. Brown thought there" was not much chance of such an Act being passed, as it would go behind Arbitration Court awards.' If the Act were passed at oncejt would be' about two years before the change could bo made, as the awards would have to run out first,

Tho Chairman said they did not desire a compulsory holiday; it should bo left to the option of the people. "Mr. Winder urged that the holiday should bo made compulsory,: otherwise somo shopkeepers would keep open and take advantage of those that observed tlio holiday.

Mr. Ballinger said they could not have a universal holiday; what would suit tho shopkeepers would not suit the workers. It was decided to postpone consideration of the matter to a future meeting.

Tlie Visiting Committee reported on a visit paid to the Technical School, and spoke favourably of the work being done. Tho Committed also gave particulars of a visit paid to a local factory.

A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Allen (secretary) and the sub-committee for the pains taken in preparing the reports.