MARINE ENGINEERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 28, 2 February 1907, Page 9

MARINE ENGINEERS.

• FAREWELL TO MR. A. R. HISLOP. The members of the Associated Institute of Marine Engineers gathered in fctror^j force last evening to Bid farewell to their secretary (Mr. A. R. Hislop), who is leaving for Sydney to-day en rcute for London, where he is to attend as a delegate at the Maritime Conference. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. Darling. r who read a batch of apologies for unavoidable absenc, including letters from tho Hon<?. W. Hall- Jones and J A. Millar, Messrs. .Jas. Mills, Wm. Ferguson, F C. Reynolds, Gordon Bell, W. H. Morton, J. IJ.1 J . Luke, Stuart Richardson, W. A Kennedy, La Trobe, and C. W. Jones. Tho Hon. C. M. Luke, *vhn propos«fl the toast of the guest of the evening, re- • marked that he hacd known Mr. Hislop for the past thirty years, and he could say that their guest hud been instrumental in bringing about many of the reforms which engineers in New Zealand were enjoying at present. (An^lause.) He felt .sure that Mr. JTifilnp would do Icredlt to the engineers and to New Zealand at the forthcoming conference. In his reply. Mr. Hislop referred to the work done in the House ou behalf of the engineers a»y back in 1893 by the Hons. J. Rigg and tho lato D. Pinkerton, who worked on their behalf. 'Thfc legislation which started in 1895 was in a large measure responsible for the ! present conference. As regards the duties to be carried out at the conference, he considered briefly that engineers, | officers, and seamen should stand shonidac j to shoulder in eiujenvouriiig to introduce into English shipping laws the fine con ditions enjoyed in this country. 'and it would be his duty to figut for better j conditions for those on board ship from ; the captain down to the brass boy. Ihe toast of "Shipping Interests" was proposed by Mr. Barrow, and Mr. Wm. Cable, in replying, paid a tribute to the coastal and intercolonial fleet of New Zealand. Iv his opinion, there was no country in the world better served by its shinning than New Zealand, and further no ships were better manned. Mr. D. Robertson proposed the toast of " Parliament,'' and ntrongly urged a protective tariff in favour of New Zealand manufacturers. He contended that the man who invested his money in Rny industry must have some, protection fvom tl cap outside labour. The New Zealand manufacturer, should have his raw material free of duty, or there must be a protective tariff. In responding, M.r. F. M. B. Frher, M.H.R., concurred with. Mr. Robertson's remarks. When the tariff question wa» threshed out in the House they nould have to encourage local production, and he trusted that tho Chambers of Commerce and Trades Councils would assist in endeavouring to lay down the principle that local industries should be protected. The Hon. J. Rigg proposed the toast of "Kindred Societies," and urged incidentally that the tariff should protect New Zealand manufacturers. ■ Referring to the Rhirwing Act of 1896, the speaker said be considered this was really tho engineers' charter. It gave them the rights of nfficer!", provided for third engineers' certificates of competency, and also provided for tho manning of the engine-room, and, finally, for the ventilation of engineers' rooms. The original Bill had been drafted by Mr. Hislop, and although the measure placed on the statute book was not exactly as drafted, it was on the same lines. Captain D. Watpon, secretary of the Merchant Service Guild, remarked that '.he members of his association were quite satisfied with the delegates chosen by tho Government, and wished Mr. Hislop even- success ill his undertaking. The gathering closed with a presentation to the guest of the evening.