N.Z. INDUSTRIES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 117, 13 November 1931, Page 5

N.Z. INDUSTRIES

EFFORT AND OPTIMISM

TRADE COMMISSIONERS' VIEWS

There were eighty people present at the annual meeting of the Wellington Manufacturers' Association last evening. The president (Mr. J. T. Spears') was.in the chair, and there were also present: Mr. L. A. Paish, British Trade Commissioner; Mr. J. B. Foster, American Trade Commissioner; Mr.-H. D. Bennett, acting-chairman of the "Wellington Harbour Board; Dr. G. Craig, Controller of Customs; Dr. B. Marsdeu, secretary to the Department of Scientific and Industrial 'Research; Mr. A. 0. Barnett, secretary of the Harbour Board; Mr. J. D. MSGowan, "Wellington Winter Show Association; Mr. H, Mainland, president of the Wellington Employers' Association; Messrs. D. Colquhoun and F. Johnson, of the Department of Industries and Commerce; and Mr. J. P. Luke, Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

Moving the adoption of the report (already published), the president stressed the value of optimism during periods of economic stress. _ Manufacturers must aggressively seize every opportunity of securing control of New Zealand markets. Already the bulk of the public was with them, and the balance was surely being won over. The economic position and the trading prospects following England's departure from the gold standard gave every justification for the view that better days were ahead, and he urged intense effort in production and marketing. Touching on employment and production costs, he said that the issue now remained with Parliament. He anticipated a rational adjustment with tha co-operation of all parties, the removal of restrictions btirdensome to industry, and employee alike, yet still insuring an adequate return for services renIdered.

"HIGHLY ILLUSION AEY."

Iv regard to the recent impost of S per cent, primarge without a compensating uplift of duty on parallel finished products in common with the Australian exchange adjustment methods, he said they were yet unwilling to accept the operative decisions, and must therefore continue their efforts to secure more reasonable and equitabla treatment. They had the Minister's statement that he was protecting industries by the process of allowing only; wholesalers to enjoy the advantage accruing from the exchange position. It was, however, a burden on the industries, and though well-intentioned, was highly illusionary. They hoped that a more equitable adjustment would be forthcoming at a reasonably early date.

Mr. J. Abel, seconding the motion, stressed the opportunity for further work in support of the purchase of New Zealand-made goods.

Appreciating the support given by; the Chamber of Commerce and the Employers' Association, Mr. F. Campbell said that secondary industries could be established successfully only by disclosing the practical policy of the manufacturers to the Government. The best brains of the country must be on. their side. .

The report and balance-sheet wer« adopted.

PRICE AND QUALITY.

Some valuable advice was given by; Mr. L. A. Paish, His Majesty's British Trade Commissioner, during the evening. Heartily supporting the policy in the report, to give preference to New Zealand goods first, and then, to the products of' Great Britain, Ne-«r Zealand's best customer, he said that the only proviso necessary was that the goods must be reasonably competitive in quality and price. A sentimental value would not be maintained. Prior to the war in Britain, manufacturers were associated chiefly as employer*! dealing with wages and conditions of work. During the war, in order t° achieve the maximum, every manufacturer was forced into association, in production. They came out of the turmoil realising that it was for the good of the country that every manufacturer should be in his particular association, but they were now linking into one big federation, the influence of which on the Government when industrial and fiscal policies were being dealt with, was considerable. A similar comprehensive organisation in New Zealand would have the same influence with the Government here.. ; Mr. Paish remarked upon the fact that from 1927 to 1929 there was a fall in the proportion of British products in the imports to New Zealand. In 1930 it rose again to about 50 per cent., and for three-quarters of this year had risen to 65 per cent., leaving out petrol and timber. Therefore .the people of Great Britain had cause to be grateful to New Zealand. If New Zealand was to become ' > great industrial country, it was essential that production costs meet world prices. If they were to have large industrial manufacturing; they must, i» view of the small population, have export markets, of which there were plenty available for New Zealand manufactures which could not be easily reached from England, but that would mean largo scale production. He suggested that New Zealand manufacturers should do as they did in England, where they were getting together in increasingly large units to reduce overhead costs. To succeed as an industrial country, New Zealand must be able to compete in overseas markets. He emphasised the need for drawing up standard specifications, in view of the forthcoming visit of the representative of British standards. The multiplicity of standards was the curse of modern industry. Brassfounders in Eugland had thousands of patterns for taps, for instance. OFFICERS ELECTED. The following officers were elected:! President, Mr. J. Abel;, vice-presidents, Messrs. J. Pearce Luko and J. H. Whittaker; general committee, Messrs. E. Bull, L. K. Partridge, L. T-. Watkins, F. Campbell, J. T. Spears, A. Seed, W. M'Lay, J. H. Simpson, D. H. Taylor, E. Burn, H. C. Gould, J. G. Marshall, E. Lynneberg, E. E. Stonebanks, W. F. Graham, A. E. Aldridge, W. A. Fislifr, A. E. Singleton, A. Fletcher, and K. Alexander; treasurer, Mr. E. K. Render;, auditors, Messrs. Clarke, Menzics, Griffin, and Boss.