MERGED DEPARTMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 117, 14 November 1930, Page 5

MERGED DEPARTMENTS

MANUFACTURERS' REGRET

QUESTION OF PREFERENCE

Regret '.thai, the Department of Jnf dustries and Commerce had been amalgamated with that of Tourists and Publicity was expressed at the annual meeting of' the Wellington Manufacturers' Association, last night. In his presidential address, Mr. J. T. Spears said that the efforts of present and past executives to secure the creation of a Development of Industries Board were well known, and he regretted that the only apparent possibility of their - proposal ever being adopted was in the possible creation of a sub-committee to the Unemployment Board. The merger of thp Department of Industries and Commerce with the Publicity and Tourist Department was regrettable,, said the president^ as by such action it lost much of its distinctive identity. The duties of the Department, however, were iv capable hands, aud-it was confidently expected that the association's interests would be safeguarded. The frequent changes in the portfolio of Minister of Industries and Commerce were also regretted, and he could but trust the Hob. P. A. de la PerrelJe1 would remain constant. SYMPATHY WITH UNEMPLOYED. He expressed the association's profound sympathy with each and every person in need of employment, and further expressed the hope that the Unemployment Board would be permitted to function and to provide employment relief without material interruption. Mr. F. Campbell seconded the adoption of the report, and said the year had been one of considerable activity. The New Zealand Industries Week, although held too late, was a success. In past years the trouble had been that the manufacturer had not been in close enough touch with the retailer, but Shopping Week had shown what could be done, and they realised how. great the assistance was which could be rendered by the retailers. They read a good deal about giving preference to British goods against foreign goods, but be would like to read more about giving preference to New Zealand goods, even against British goods. ' The report and balance-sheet wereadopted. The election of ofuecrs resulted as follows.—President, Mr. J. T. Spears; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. Abel and J. Pearce Luke; general committee, Messrs. E. Bull, L. X.. Partridge, L. T. Watkius, C. Cathie, F. Campbell, A. Seed, •W.-M'Lay, J. H. Simpson, D. H. Tavlor, J. H. Whittakcr, E. Burn, H. C. "Gould, W. A. Fisher, J. G. Marshall, E~ Lynueberg, E. E. Stonebanks, E. W. Ackland, D. Markham, W. F..Graham; honorary treasurer, Mr. E. E. Eendcr; auditors, Messrs. Clarke, Meuzies, Griffin, and Ross.