INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 179, 18 April 1918, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS

DISCOURAGEMENT OF LOCAL INDUSTRY. At the meeting of the Central Chamber of Commerce last evening, Mr. C. J. Ward delivered an interestinc address on. "Some Problems of Industrialism." The kernel of his argument was that though a slogan of many bodies and politicians was "Encourage local industry," local industries were vot encouraged in Now Zealand. He pointed out how the banks looked sideways on an industrial plant stocks as security for advances, as compared with the ready response accorded to the farmer for his produce. As an instauco of how local industry is discouraged, ho quoted a Wellington industry with a ,£6OOO plant that was taxed to tho extent of .51600 in one' year. Tho speaker also dwelt on thcjwretclic-d buildings that were considered good enough for industries, and he personally did' not think it at all strange that young men should prefer to go into banks warehouses, insurance offices, and elaborate suites of legal offices rather than go to tho buildings that wero considered good enough for industries. Ho did not believe that an industrial building should bo merely four walls and a root. In Auckland ho had seen as elaborate an office as he had ever seen, in connection with aii industry which was-not well housed at all, and' it was small wonder that the men, seeing that lovely suite pj offices day by day, became discontented. Mr. Ward 'indicated how America was changing the order of things in that regard, and how keen (he municipalities wero to really encourage industries, oven to tho extent of building fine industrial blocks, provided with power. Some of them wero let at remunerative rents; on the other hand, they were often let at unromunerative rents in order to get industries Established in their cities. Mr. Ward said that tho striking of a Customs tariff should not lie left to politicians. In his opinion ! t should be framed by a •commission of business and scientiiic men and economists in order to determine what measure of protection an industry deserved. ' Mr C M. Lulte instanced the enormous' improvement which had taken place diirin" recent years in the industrial world, notably in America. And even in New Zealand great improvement had bteen made, as businesses emerged from smalt beginnings into big important industries. Mr L V. Edwards also spoke interestingly on the changes that were coming about in tho TilationshiD between employers and employees.