MANUFACTURERS’ NEW CHAMBERS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 180, 28 April 1939, Page 11

MANUFACTURERS’ NEW CHAMBERS

Wellington Association MINISTER OFFICIATES AT OPENING The new headquarters of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association, “Manufacturers’ Chambers,” at the corner of Ghuznee and Willis Streets, was opened yesterday by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb, deputizing for the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr. Sullivan, who was indisposed. The president of the association, Mr. W. H. Stevens, was in the chair. Congratulations on the. occasion were received from Mr. Sullivan; the Minister of Education, Mr. Fraser; the Minister of Finance, Mr. Nash; the president of the New’ Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, Mr. H. B. Duckworth, Christchurch; the Canterbury. Otago, Auckland and Hawke’s Bay associations; the president of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, Mr. A. C. Mitchell. Those present included members of the council of the association and many Wellington manufacturers; th« general secretary of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, Mr. M. RO’Shea; the president of the New Zea laud Labour Party, Mr. .1. Roberts; the secretary of the New’ Zealand Federation of Labour, Mr. F. D. Cornwall; Mr. Chapman, M.P., and various trade union secretaries. Work of State Departments. Mr. Stevens welcomed Mr. Webb and officers of Government departments. “These oflicers are particularly welcome at this function,” said Mr. Stevens, “because in these days such close co-operation is necessary between an organization such as the manufacturers’ association and the various Government departments. The association has always had the greatest of assistance and courtesy from Government departments.” The Press was also particularly welcome because all organizations which were operating for the public welfare were given a fair hearing by the Press of New Zealand. The manufacturers’ association had lately been given considerable prominence, and the attitude of the Press and its helpful remarks and criticisms regarding the manufacturing industries of the country had been particularly welcomed by the association.

■Welcoming the trade union representatives, Mr. Stevens said manufacturers realized that they were not living 20 years ago. They must have the co-operation of their employees, and it w r as a pleasure to the manufacturers to co-operate with their workers. Growth of Association.

Reviewing the history of the association, Mr. Stevens said the opening of the new building represented a milestone in its progress. It was satisfactory to note that approximately 93 per cent, of the manufacturing establishments in the Wellington province were already members of the association, and it was hoped that at no distant date the membership would represent 100 per cent, of manufacturers. Appreciation of the work of the chairman of the building sub-commit-tee, Mr. H. 11. Higgins, was expressed. Paying a tribute to Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Stevens said: “It looks now as though his time has come and we as manufacturers are going to back him to the limit.”

Opening the chambers, Mr. Webb said they were now living in a different age. The old order was passing away. . It was nice to see the representatives of the manufacturers and the workers there that day. It was his job to co-operate with both in order to see that the highest possible standard of living was maintained. They did not want the factory system of older countries to grow up in New Zealand. Proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Webb, the immediate past president of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, Mr. J. T. Spears, said he applauded the Government for what it was doing to bring about a spirit of cooperation between worker and employer. . (Pictures on page 7.)