INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 141, 12 December 1923, Page 15

INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

MEETING OF WELLINGTON BODY

EXHIBITION SUTTEES.

The general committee of the Wellington Industrial Association met yesterday afternoon, under the presidency ofMr. L. T. Watkins. • The association's bank books showed credits totalling £1542 16s. A communication was received from Masterton A. and P. Society advising that, with a view to raising building funds for the proposed Winter Show, they were holding a gala week early m the year. A building providing 30,000 square feet was proposed to start with, and this would enable Wellington manufacturers to display their goods. The chairman said the association would give any assistance possible. It would have to be.seen that if possible there was no clash with the Wellington Holidty Week and the proposed Winter Show. "

The Industrial Corporation of New Zealand advised that the*next conference would be.held in Auckland at the latter end of February. Remits already suggested would deal with (1) preferential tariff, with special reference to the proportion of value of foreign goods coming from Britain and exported under preferential tariff,- and (2) protection of new industries auch as glass bottles, sheet lead, etc. Trade with the East will probably be a matter for discussion. It was remarked that the first remit would probably refer to importations of articles marked "Made in Britain" when the percentage of British labour in producing the articles might only be 25.

This will be the biggest show of its kind that has yet been attempted in New Zealand," remarked the chairman concerning the Dominion Industrial Exhibition to be held in Auckland in 1924. The Minister had been approached, it was pointed out,- and had promised favourable consideration as to free carriage of exhibits, excursion fares, and installation of a post and telegraph office convenient to show-goers. The committee considered the matter of one of the larger shipping companies which had made a change and now obtained all its mineral waters, in England for the round trip, when in the past it had obtained the supply for the outward trip from New Zealand locally. It was resolved to approach the company suggesting that, everything being equal, the company should patronise local manufacturers on at least half the round trip. • Mr. J. A. Plimmer, who has now retired from business, and who was one of the original committee of the association when it was formed in about 1895, was elected a life member. Regarding the proposed local industrial exhibition next year, the chairman said the proposal was to hold the exhibition about the same time as Carnival Week and the Winter Show. It was probable that the Harbour Board would shortly be ablo to say when they could have sheds and what sheds they could have. After a general discussion .it was. 'kcided to favourably consider an exhibition in July, provided accommodation will be available.