RISING-COSTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 115, 16 May 1936, Page 11

RISING-COSTS

MANUFACTURERS CONCERNED

Concern as to the immediate" effect on industry of. the.. Government's industrial legislation was voiced- yesterday, at a series of meetings' held in Palmerstbn' North: under' the'auspices of the Wellington Manufacturers' ""Asspciation. . -.'-. . ■'■'..•■■-'■. -.. ..- The secretary of the association, Mr. A. W. Nisbet, has been engaged during the past few weeks in organising members into trade groups, and yesterday meetings of two trade groups were held'in Palmerston'North in. addition to a general meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the association. ' Representatives of industry, were also present from Wangahui, Masterton, Hastings, Napier, and New.Plymouth. Discussion centred largely on the effect that the rein'troduction of the' I. C, and A. Act, together withthe maximum .hours and minimum • wages clauses of the Factories Act, will in? evitably have on the cost of production. ..-.-.- While not in any way doubting the sincerity of the Prime Minister, in his assurance that the Government will take whatever steps, are considered necessary to enable manufacturers to meet .increased costs,- grave doubt was felt and expressed by members as "to whether Cabinet realised the effect that a tune lag between increased costs and adequate. counter-balancing ; measures—to enable manufacturers to meet the increased costs —will have on many small manufacturing concerns. Mr. Lan Matheson, president of the Wellington Association; addressed' the general meeting on the work of the association, and the representations made by. the federation to- the Government on behalf of manufacturers; In speaking in support of a vote of thanks to Mr. Matheson for his address several, members expressed concern at the apparent lack of practical knowledge on the part of those politicians who talk of an increase in wages costs (of anything up to 20 -per cent.) not affecting the cost of production ,or who suggest that industry should be able to absorb increased costs—a suggestion that is claimed by manufacturers to be impossible in many industries; ... . . :