MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 17085, 2 July 1919, Page 7

MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING AND DINNER. OPTBIISTriOSPEH^HE-S. The second annual meeting of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association, was hold in the office of**the secretary (Mr W. E. C Reid) at 5.30 last evening, Mr R. J. Hudson (president) occupying the chair. ANNUAL REPORT. The following are the principal clauses of the annual report;—lt was inevitable that tie termination of hostilities should bring in its train a mushroom growth of social and industrial problems, and it is obvious that much readjustment, involving no doubt serious economic disturbance, is necessary before a proper industrial equilibrium etui be fealty established. Daring this transition stage the association should find ample scops for their activities. Occasions must- now arise, even more than in the past, when concerted action on the part of manufacturers will be an urgent necessity. One of the earliest matters engasring the association’s attention in the year was a request from the Otago Commissioner of the National Efficiency Board for a statement of the association’s views on the question of technical education, with special reference to the training of apprentices. A special committee was set up, and -after several meetings,including a visit of inspection fo the Technical College, a report was drafted and submitted lor consideration at two successive meetings of numbers. The report, as subsequently adopted, was forwarded to the Efficiency Board, who expressed hearty appreciation of its contents, and stated that it would receive very careful consideration by the hr, ard when preparing their report on the education question to the flovaumcn; Quite recently tl > committee gave much consideration to the proposed Apprentices and Vocational Training Bill, and as some of the provisions therein were directly opposed to the views enunciated by the association in the report just referred to steps were taken to enter a protest against the proposed Bill. In particular, exception was taken to the provision for time off during working hours for apprentices to attend technical classes. On several occasions the committee have been concerned with questions of shipping and freights affecting the interests of* manufacturers. Deputations have been arranged to wait upon the Union Company regarding coastal freight services. Mutters connected with intercolonial freights have also received attention—as, fo- instance, the reported appointment m Sydney of an. official controller of intercolonial cargoes: while the vexed question of the allocation of space in outward-bound oversea ships was looked into closely by a special committee. An active part ws* taken, also, in the recent general movement for securing the re-ostablishmsnt of a direct steamer service between Australia and Dunedin, and for having bills of lading for overseas goods made out to Port Chalmers or Dunedin without transhipment. Again, the practice now so common among shipping companies of stamping bills of lading with the words ‘‘insufiicientlv packed,” and other endorsements to the same effect, has frequently been the subject of adverse comment from the association. The evidence of members proves clearly that the practice is adopted even in cases where such endorsements are clearly unwarranted, and it is anticipated that some firm and definite action on the matter will become necessary. The association were invited by the Industries Committee to give evidence on the question of stimulating the industries of tiie Dominion, and it was felt that, despite the barren results of similar movements in the past, this opportunity of voicing the association’s views should not be let slip. A sub-committee was ultimately set up to handle the final preparation of evidence, such evidence, _ when completed, to be submitted in writing to the Industries Committee. The following mutters rmiv be mentioned briefly as having received attention during the year: The possibility of effecting 'improvements in the mail services and in the time-table of the express trains was taken up with the postal and railway officials. Assistunco was given to certain members in a successful effort to secure the removal of the embargo imposed by tkw Common- ( wealth Government, on the export of steel i billets from Australia—an embargo winch i threatened seriously to cripple the iron and steel industries'll! New Zealand. Similar assistance was given regarding certain restrictions imposed by the British Government on the importation of sugar of milk fiom the Dominion. Again, in the interests of manufacturers or canned goods and preserved provisions, representations were made to the Government on more than one occasion regarding the conditions surrounding the suiflv of such goods to tire Imperial Purchases Department, t'bo Navy Canteen Stores, end the 'New Zea- j land” Munitions and -Supplies .Department. The vexed question of the exportation of i New Zealand white pine timber was taken up with the Government, after information had been collected from dairy associations in the North and South Islands and from other largo uses of the timber. The attitude adopted by the association, after a careful consideration of the matter from a commercial point ot view, was that it was too late in the day to press the Government in the direction of restricting cutting and exportation, but that steps should be taken to encourage the use of suitable substitutes and to promote a proper scheme of afforestation. The association is keeping in close- touch- with, the industrial -associations in other centres oh several matters c-f the greatest importance, with a view to subsequent concerted action being taken. Chief among these may be mentioned the problem of tariff revision. Without doubt this burning question will play a prominent part in "the politics of the” near future, and must form a main plank in the association's programme of activities. Concerted action has also been taken in the direction of urging the appointment of a Minister of Industries. In common with other centres, the association hold the view that,_ as the problems of economic reconstruction and financial read ju'itm cut are inseparably inter woven with the industrial welfare and advancement of the Dominion, it is absurd that the control of industries and commerce should continue to form a part —and, it is feared, rather an insignificant part—-of the duties devolving upon the Minister of Agriculture. The * association therefore feel strongly .that the Government cannot too soon undertake the appointment of a special Minister of Industries upon -conditions that will give him an opportunity of placing the secondary industries of tho Dominion in the position they should deservedly occupy. It is suggested, further', that the dunce of a suitable appointee thould be carried beyond the circle of available politicians into the field of practical business ability. The report-, which was formailv adopted, was read at the dinner which followed. OFF ICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers were elected :—President, Mr A. E. Usherwood; Wee-president, Mr W. R. Hayward; treasurer, Mr J. Neil; committee—Messrs it, J. Hudson, W, Stevenson, J. M‘D. Stevenson, W. B. M. reu, H. F. Siueqck, T. Somerville, J. H. -Stewart, B. W. BrkkpU, J. B. Baxter, J. Fletcher, qfcd W. Burt; it being left to the comm&too to elect one more member. •THANKS. My J. McDonald Stevenson moved—»"T&t the association record on the minutes their appreciation of the services df the late president.” This motion was carried unanimously. Km retiring president said that anyho had done for the association had fceea dons willingly. The association were required to do more to-day than ever bafore, and it was hoped that mamufacfcurers would try to hold the market they now possessed. They could combat oppgsifeion much hotter by combination. There was no reason why the association, should not become a stronger one, x and. be of great- benefit to manufacturers.’ air W. E. C. (Reid, (secretary) was specially thanked for his valuable services THE DINNER. (Later a dinner was tendered to members and citizens in th© Strand Tea Rooms by the president (Mr R. J. Hudson) and executive. There was a large attendance of prominent citizens and jmWk men. Ata excellent- dinnet was

served by Mr Armstrong- and his'staff, and the arrangements were in the capable hands of Mr W. E. O. Reid. Nix Hudson, who presided, opened tho proceedings by expressing the pleasure of all at the signing of peace. (Applause.) They were all very thankful that the terrible war was now at an end. V THE CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. The secretary then read the annual report, which was most favorably received. The Chairman, referring- to the report, said at tho present time they had a fair* number of manufacturers belonging to the association, but there were many others who had not joined, and he would like those manufacturers seriously, to consider joining the association, because, if they could make the association strong and thoroughly representative of the manufacturers of Dunedin, -they would bo able to carty some weight. At the present time all the manufacturers were busy, and In many cases factories were employed to their full limit, and while they we re so busy they were apt to forgot what might happen in the near f- lure. There was not the slightest doubt that, owing to the great prominence this Dominion had been brought into owing to the war, they could expect great competition from outside markets, and now was the time to come together and prepare for that competition. H© felt _ quite sure they had a bettor chance of meeting this competition if t-liey worked together in a united body than working individually. Owing to nearly all importations being stopped for the past few years, New Zealand manufactured goods had been prominently brought before the public, and it was up to tho manufacturers to hold, and to do everything to hold, tho market they now had, and to do this every manufacturer would have to watch and keep his methods and Ms machinery well up to date, and see that the article he produced was of a high standard. It was quit© certain that within % very short time we' were going to be faced with great changes. The Government would no doubt start by putting their house in order, and placing the country on a sound financial foundation, and no doubt a fresh Customs tariff would bo brought down. Unless this was carefully watched items might slip into the tariff that micfiit seriously handicap manufacturers. The association would do a great ; amount ot good if tHev could' only watch i this tariff, mad thus protect manuiadturers. In the report they would notice they advecated_ the appointment of a Minister of Industries, and he thought everyone would admit that this was urgently required, and if -the, Government should decide to make such an appointment they hoped a mnu of good, sound business training, and witha knowledge of industries, would bo appointed. If this were done he was- quite sure it would be a big help toi tho industries of the Dominion. A few evenings ago he had attended a meeting of business men called by one of tho local bodies to consider a matter oi interest to all those connected with the trade oi the pent, and in listening to the gentlemen who apoke he had been greatly struck with the pessimistic tone adopted by practically all the speakers. Most oi the speakers prefaced their remarks by saying that Dunedin was either slipping back or had gone back, and practically spcaking- becesna a back number. He could not agree at ail with this pessimistic feeding, because Dunedin to-day was one of the soundest and finest commercial centres in the Dominion, and he was pleased to say that the proud position Dunedin held to-day won greatly duo to her manufactures. Some of the northern cities might fce advancing just now a little faster than we were: that was not to say wo were going back, and he would bo greatly disappointed if the -business men of tins city of Dunedin ever became a back number. In -concluding he hoped every manufacturer would consider joining the association, and net only join it in name, but come forward and take an active part in carrying out its functions, and with their experience and advice help to make the association the success which it undoubtedly deserved. (Applause.) MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. Mr 0. E. Statham, M.P., in- moving the toast of “ Manufacturing Industries,” said that they would agree with him that ■as the war was now over it behoved Now Zealand to do its best to repair the leases suffered!—toas-es in the material wealth of tbs country. New Zealand was a country of primary industries, but tho affoond-ary industries with -which, the as*ooiqtion were now closely connected were of equal importance. In New Zealand we had only a little over 1,000,000 population, and we had not the volume of trade required to keep machinery up to date. Protoctiou was a most difficult problem, and what we really wanted was a happy combination of Protection and Free-trade. They could not say -they would tax everything that came into the country. If they did thev were net going to solve the question of the increased cost of But it would lie a duty to see -that protection was given to certain industries. As to the appointment of a- Minister of Industries, he was quite in favor of that, and considered that there should also be a Department of Pcic-'.tilic Research- If they went on neglecting that they were %oin.g to blunder as they had done in the past. It would nay to have a number of men engaged in prac-cic-ai resetirdh work. He know there were labor -problems to be met, and, ref erring to the Homo Country, he said that unhappily the employer did not always pay his men as he should do. That. 1 did not prevail in New Zealand. _ They would generally find that in such a time of trouble there was a paid agitator at weak. What was wanted was a bettor understanding between capital and labor, and a realisation that the on© was dependent upon tho other. Referring to the guilds of England wh-we men were graded. Air Statharn said the guild put a hall-mark upon a man, and the employer knew what value to put upon t-hs man. With regard to economics. Professor Marshall bad said it was all very well to s-pcak of economics, but what was wanted was a training in common sense. How would they like a Parliament, of professors trained' in economics? (“Fine,” and laughter.) An Industries Committee had been going round Now Zealand, and ho was hopeful that tho information they obtained would be of use in solving questions before the House. But everything was iu the molting -pot, and they did not know what was going to happen. He maintained that Dunedin had'net gone back, but had got a bit behind compared with other places. In Auckland the people spoke in the highest terms of the commercial morality of Dunedin. He thought that with its opportunities of water power and things of a like kind Now Zealand should take its place as a leading industrial centre. (Applause.) Mr John A. Brown, on behalf of the association, thanked Mr Statha-m for his a-ppreciatorv remarks, and said that peace had presented them with a number of problems for imme’difite solution. Tho maguftndo of the problems could only bo adequately grasped were they to study tho ravages caused by tile war.' A prominent writer in the ‘ Statistical Review ’ told them that the number of tilled and disabled of all the belligerent nations exceeded 16 millions. They been so used to speaking in millions that it seemed almost impossible to gimp the magnitude of this loss, bat wore they to assume for a moment that if the white population of South Africa, tho whole of Canada, and all Australia rand New Zealand were suddenly stricken down it would give an hjtsu comparison. Again, it they now turned to the number of casualties they found that they esooedrtL 28.700,000, and if those two total* were added together, making approximately 46 neliions, they found then that tty* .number affected by the war exceeded tho population of the British Isles. Tho toons that they had learned went to ©hew that th» commercial and predvretivo systems of the -.past did not tend to -give the bast to humanity. Tho world- was found, wanting. Bit oily, the richest nation in’ the world, England, was described when her man power was put to the test as a C2 nation. They were toid .hat one in every four died in the workhouse. Public ©pinion has been educated to the extent of providing a richer and a fuller life to the people, and they saw a movement right throughout, a natural evoiirciomry movement towards a higher plane. The huge loss in man .power was going j-o seriously affect the production of the woflkl. The remaining peopfe «x , reinovT-’intpi'eesed-vviliii-lsjo-.ji6oa«-

aaty of a' better division -and a greater division of wealth that would enable mankind; to live in greater happiness, to give that plenitude that made me on-durable, and if this were the only problem, then he submitted that the solution was within the bounds of possibility;. There was, however, another phase of tho question that negatived this high ideal—namely, the advancement of human rights, or, he would say, tine natural rights of the individual to*that freedom and plentitude to which he was justly entitled. It was tho problem of finance. Previous to tho wav' the debts of tho belligerents was 5,534 millions, and this sum was increased until in 1919 they found it totalling 31,000 millions. The interest bill payable before the war amounted to 264 millions per annum. To-day it was in the neighborhood of 2,000 milnons. Let them think for' a moment of what 2,000 millions represented. The Gliv -of New York was valued -at 2,000 millions. So tbs remains ing produceffß and workers- of the world must not only provide for humanity and 'our cdviiisatiou -a greater material and national well-being, but they were asked at the same time to also provide sufficient money to construct a city the -size of Now York every year. That was surely the problem that -confronted them. it could not 'be said to be wholly a-n industrial one. It was in part, and the greater part, -a financial one, and- strange as it might seem, there- had been no solution, proffered by any of the- financial magnates of tho world, -excepting that produfhion must fce increased. Mr Brown stressed tho necessity -for the concentration of commercial and floanci-al men. on this allimportant matter. It was a matter that affected production, manufacturing, and the we-llfore of the people. There was such a tilling- known as an Assets Realisation Board. There were other measurestoo, common to liquidation that .should be and could bo applied, hut it was a vital problem, and one that’must be tackled and coped with in real earnestness. In no small decree was our country affected by the problem. They had in the past livecl in an era of wasteful extravagance. They had neglected to movide those opportunities for independence and advancement that wore justly theirs, and it was this fact that had broirbt into being an association of manufacturers in this City to ■concentrate on tins particular problem, ,-m assortatioii to which he was proud to belong. (Applau-a’c.) THE CITY. Tho Chairman introduced Mr A. Ik Usherwood, the new president of the -association, and said he felt sure the affairs of the association would be well looked after in his hands. (Applause.) Mr Usherwood thanked the chairman, and then proposed “ Tho City of Dunedin.” H-e said that there ware splendid possibilities hero, and there was no fear of Otago going back. The difference between hero and farther north was that the northern towns had better natural resources, these giving them a push ahead. Tho -time would come when wo would hold our own with the northern towns. We went away and saw other places and other people, and when we got back to Dunedin wo said “ Thank Heaven, we are here.” The (Slayer had plenty good work before him- if he supplied their demands. They wore all proud to be citizens of Dunedin. There were lots to be done, and it would take time to get there, but they were going to get there. (Applause.) The Manufacturers’ Association were working on right lines. They must look to manufacturers to keep the town going. Aa members of the association they were pleased to see such a- representative gathering of citizens present. It augured well for the future prosperity of Dunedin. Tho Mayor (Mr W Begg), in reply, agreed with the other speakers- that Dunedin was not going back Proceeding, ho said that if the Citv Council granted_ every request that came before them he did not know where tho rates would be. He thought one of the moot important- factors that would materially assist the industries of Dunedin was the corporation’s- Waipori scheme. He proceeded to _ outline the gradual accession -of power which, with installations to be made, would within five years reach 13,500 horse-power, sufficient lor many a year to come. Something would have to be' done with that or it would simply run to waste. Coming to the working class, he said he maintained, that tho worker was the backbone of _the- country, but he wanted to be educated. Economics had been spoken of, _ but there had been far too much theoretical economics. V\ e -often looked to politicians for a lead, and bad beau badly disappointed lately. He believed that the politician who oa-mo forward with some practical ideas would be tho man. who would win through. It was production they required, and Waipori was going to be of great assistance to them. They must assist the working cla.es. The worker-, was tho backbone of tho country, and all he wanted was a fair deal. They had a future in front of them here, and ha was sure that- the. Manufacturers’ Association would do all they could to assist tho City Council. (Applause.) • KINDRED BODIES. Mr T. Somerville proposed “Kindred 1 Bodies.”' Ho said t-lurt one lesson taught by tho war was that we realised that we had a Government, financial institutions, I merchants, -and manufacturers. _ These distributed to the retailer, who in turn distributed to the consumer. Another thing 1 the war had taught was that an injury to i ary one of these meant an injury to all. - We must all work with hearty co-operation |if we were going to obtain good results | and not overcrowd our City. He congratulated tho Harbor Board on the tor--1 ward movement they had undertaken by deciding to deepen the Lower Haiboi. -vt the same time they must not forget _ tho (Upper Harbor. He understood that ttierc ■whs no difficulty in regard to deepening I the Victoria Channel. The Chamber -m I Commerce woro convinced that town planning and bettor housing was one of tae [solutions of tho Labor trouble, _ ami he I congratulated the chamber on initiating , the matter. The Manufacturers’ Association were also doing good work. las Expansion League were another live body, 1 but their work had been greatly hampered | by conditions arising out of tae wav, Mr H. L. Taplcy (chairman of the Harbor Board), in reply, said tho foremost policy of tho- board was to open tho 11 on t door to tiro (harbor from the Heads to I Port Chalmers. When that was none Urn I next policy would be to pay attention to the Upper Harbor from Port- Chalmers to Dunedin. The board wanted the reclaimed areas taken up. He was satisfied that it rating area would have to come. The people -in the country were jr.rt as must interested in the harbor _ as the town people. He thought people in the country we-i'e prejudiced against -a rating area, and should be shown- that it was in then, own interest* that they should support a -rating -area. He felt -sure that from now on the revenue of the Hoard would [increase They had plenty of land waiting occupation, and they looked to the manufacturers to take it up. Mr J. B. Waters (president of the Chamber oi Commerce) congratulated the association on the strength or their organisation, and also on tho good work they were doing. The chamber would be pleased to 00-ooe-rate with the association. Mr F. W. Mitchell said that the Employers’ Asso-oiatkm welcomed the assist--anuo oi any body which would further the interests of Otago. He congratulated the -association on- tho excellent work they had done. Mar 0. Todd (president of the- Expansion League) said that it was th-e duty oi every citizen to do something lor the province. He was afraid that the 13,600' ii.p. from Waipori would not meet the requirements of the future. The Hawca-Wa-n-aka -scheme would make this.province second to none in the Dominion. OTHER TOASTS. Mr J. M'D. Stevenson proposed the toast of “ Parliament.” Mr W. Downic Stewart, M.P., in responding, said he kpew the Now Zealand Pariki-nicnt was in- great disfavor, as other Parliaments /Ml over the world were. Parliaments 'were unable at- the present day to meet tho enormous problems pressing upon them. Wo were passing through an industrial revolution, in which inertly a question of profit or wages vma net fill It went beyond that. He expressed Iris thank? to Mr Stetham for having, while he (Mr Stewart) was out of action, looked after tfae, waai'tsra'f-Tiia toferitoau.fi!.

Other toasts honored were “The Press" and “Tho Ebmitive of the Manufacturers’ Associaliioji.” Daring the evening songs were given by Messrs J. Leech. H. P, Desmoulins, Percy James, W. Gemmell, -and A. Moore, the accompaniments being played by Mr C. A. Martin. The proceedings closed with the -singing of tlie National Anthem.