MANUFACTURERS MEET

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 9, 5 October 1927, Page 6

MANUFACTURERS MEET

« ASSOCIATION DINNER ELECTION OF OFFICERS The annual meeting and dinner of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association was held last night, Mr. T. Campbell (the president) presiding over a laigattendance. Guests included the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) and Mr. J. W. Collins, of the Department of Industries and Commerce. In hts presidential address Mr. Campbell said that various activities had been undertaken by the association in the past year, each one having as its. main object the fostering of secondary industries. It was difficult to say how much these activities had succeeded in their objects. Personally he believed they had done-good work, and if followed up would result in a better knowledge and appreciation by the buying public of goods made in New Zealand. He felt sure that in Wellington, which was one of the largest importing centres, there was a stronger inclination towards the New Zealand-made article than there was some years ago. Continuing, Mr. Campbell said he noted with pleasure the increase in membership. During the past year the secretary (Mr. R.T. Edmonds) was engaged as a full-time official. A 20 per cent, increase in membership for the first year was very satisfactory, and he hoped it would .continue. There was still a large nurpber of manufacturers who were not members of the association, and he hoped that in the acoining year a big effort would Ims made to build up a 100 per cent, organisation in Wellington. The association would never be able to do th» work it should do effectively and efficiently until every manufacturer realised tho necessity 'of his belonging to the association and taking on interest in its activities. The balance-sheet, added Mr. Campbell, was still in a fairly healthy state, in spite of one or two heavy items of expenditure. There was one item which ho felt sure they would all wish with him would never have to appear on the balance-sheet again. Ho referred to the JCIOO granted to the Mayor’s Unemployment Fund. He paid a tribute to the Mayor for the prompt and' businesslike way in which he had handled the position. Bad as things had been in Wellington, they would have been much worse had the position been less skilfully handled.

\ Election of Officers. 1 Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow: President, Mr. T. J. Burton; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. T. Spears and L. A. Brookes; genera] committee, Messrs. T. Ballinger, E. Bull, R. Burn, J. Abel, 0. F. Ward. J. H. Whittaker, W. McDay. _C. Cathie, J. Pearce Luke, J. IT. Simpson, L. R. Partridge, F. Campbell.. E. R. Render, T). H. Tnvlor. P. D. Barcham, J. E. Hunt, W. D. Cooke, \L. T. Watkins, A. Seed: advisory committee, Messrs. L. T. Watkins, L. R. Partridge, F. Campbell. R. Burn, F. W. Vosseler, J. Abel, J. T. Spears, A. L. Brookes, D. H. Taylor, T. J. Burton; treasurer. Mr. F. W. Vossoler; auditors, Messrs. Clarke, Menzies, Griffin and Ross. The only toast in addition to ‘The King” was “Our Guests.” proposed by Mr L. R. Partridge and replied to by the Mavor and Mr. J. W. Collins. Mr. Troup, who described those present as “the men who make.the wheels go round." said he thought ’the slogan, “What Wellington makes, makes Wellington." an admirable one for everybody. If the city was to progress and prosper in the future both the secondary and primary industries would have to be encouraged and put on a firm and sound basis, and he was quite convinced that if New Zealand were to become a great nation, with a great people, more attention would have to be given to the industries. , Mr. Collins said that if the gathering had done nothing more than bring the manufacturers and other? together, witir the object of encouraging the use of New Zealand-made goods, it ha<Lserved its purpose well Tho prosperity of the Dominion denended on the development of its industries, and he urged upon members the necessity of organising for the benefit of the country as a whole. Musical and vocal items were given bv Messrs. A. J. Mazengarb and J. Bryant.