INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 60, 8 September 1905, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL 'REPORT. The committee of the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association in its annual report states that the finances are i&tisfactory. There' is a credit balance of £84 8s lOd on current account, and £75 ja on fixed deposit. The number of members is 163. The committee notes with satisfaction that the Government has advanced the necessary funds for the erection, and equipment of the first portion of the Technical Education Board's ne\T workshops. Gratification, Is expressed at the manner in "which Price 'Bros., of the Thames, executed' their con. tract for the manufacture of Government locomotives, and the committee hopes that' that firm -will Teeeive- another- similar order.; The committee is pleased that the joint representations of the -Trades and Labour Council and the Association as to the desirableness of having .the tramcars made in Wellington has met with success. It is suggested that the new _ committee ■ should co-operate "rnth 'the* other colonial -Industrial Associations in endeavouring id' secuic such "<C4ju9tmeut^.'o3.tl;e i ',t&ri# a§will put our ' industries in a much healthier position. There is a strong feeling throughout the colony that the interest of ita industries should be favourably considered, and the committee -is pleased that 'the Premier has stated that the interests of our local industries ai'e all important and should be" •protected. A committee has -been eet up to see that Wellington, is worthily represented 'afr the" KW Zealand Exhibition^ in, Christchurch. It is hoped that •when the next exhibition is held in Wellington District it will be of a character .eclipsing* all previous ones. The great •development which is d&ily taking place in and around the city, together with the Straightening of the Hutt railway line, and the efficient tram services of the City, and those- now being installed in * the suburbs, will add materially, to" the success of an exhibition undertaking. The committee considers that the splendid natural resources of the colony should be developed so as to better^enable our workers to meet 'the competition from outside sources, without the many attendant evils of keen competition 'as manifested else--where. Referring to the Trade Monopolies Bill, ' the commit tee\ says "that .-while it is, the duty, of. the State to pre;venb^ any system, of' trade that- would 'bring about the evils manifested in connection with' some trade monoplies in other countries — the only outcome of which is- the accumulation of enormous wealth in the- hands of -a few individuals on the one hand, and the lowering qf the standard of comfort of workers, together ■with increased cost to the purchaser coneequent: tm the throttling: of' the smaller manufacturer; while, on Jthe .other hand, the committee feels' "that unless great care is exercised in dealing with this matter, harassing ' Conditions may be- imposed that would result in diminished activity in those concerns , already estab"lished," and thy .prevent ion" of .new enterprises ;wiich, if established, would be of great benefit to the colony. The committee. places on. record its appreciation of. the zeal and energy displayed by the Secretary, Mr. H. F. Allen.