MANUFACTURERS" ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 17368, 2 June 1920, Page 8

MANUFACTURERS" ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. THE COSTOF LIVING. The third annual meeting of the Dunedin Manufacturers' Association was held last evening. Mr A. E. Usherwood (president) occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. The annual report stated: It is gratifying "to place upon record the fact that the past_ year has been one of great moment.in the history of the association, and that, without doubt, much has been accomplished in consolidating the foundations and extending the ramifications of our young but vigorous body. Without doubt one of the chief outstanding features of the year's activities was the part taken by the association in connection ■with the annual conference of the Industrial Corporation of New Zealand, held in Dunedin under the auspices of the association in February of this vear. The executive hope that much'mav'vet come of the movement inaugurated "at"the conference for the complete reorganisation on a comprehensive scale of the Industrial Corporation of New Zealand—a movement which is under the capable control of Mr C. J. Ward, of Wellington. Members will remember that about 12 months ago a movement was set on foot for the holding of an industrial exhibition in Dunedin, the date suggested being February, 1920. A special committee was set up and a good deal of preliminary work done. It was found, however, that it would prove a matter of practical impossibility to complete arrangements for an exhibition by the date mentioned, and acting on a recommendation of the special committee, it was decided to tentatively fix the date for February, 1921, Since then two developments have arisen which may have some effect on the proposal. In the first place, the Industrial Association of Canterbury are actively pushing forward their scheme for the holding of a Dominion Industrial Exhibition in Christchurch early in 1921. The backing and. assistances of the Government are being sought, and a strong effort is being made to bring to fruition a scheme whereby the exhibition would be moved in turn to each of the chief centres. 'ln the second place, as a result of negotiations with the Otago A. and P. Society, arrangements were completed whereby displays local manufacturers are "being made under the auspices of the association at the Winter Show, which opened to-day. Those who have already had an opportunity of viewing the combined display will undoubtedly agree as to its effectiveness, and will subscribe to the opinion that the movement will do much to creatlv improve the standard of the Winter Shows. In this connection the executive must express their warm appreciation of the services rendered bv Mr W. R. Havward _ dn_ energetically' undertaking the organisation of the display. As suggested, these two developments may materially affect the proposal to hold ail Industrial Exhibition in Dunedin next year. Some months ago, as the outcome of information gathered in Australia bv the secretary, and later by Mr A. Smellie, members had their attention drawn to the remarkably successful results achieved by the Australian Chamber of Manufactures ! Insurance, Ltd. It was then resolved bv members that the matter was worthy of serious consideration, and a special committee was formed to inquire into the feasibility of promoting a scheme of accident insurance for our own members. From the information gathered bv this committee, it seems certain that a successful scheme could he launched, and would have the support of the great majority of members from the outset. Further, as the scheme developed, there would undoubtedly be a tendencv for all members gradually to come into 'it. while it might well prove -the means of greatlv increosing the membership and general stability of the association. The committee are at present engaged in dealing with numerous points of difficultv that present themselves in working out the full details of the scheme; but it is honed that ultimately it will be found possible to bring a definite proposal before members. ~ E «denoe is to be found on every hand that those manufacturers who utilise female labor to any extent are finding an ever-increasing difficultv in seem-in* ?n adequate supply of this labor. Misses birdler and Watkin were sent to the Dominion by the Imperial Government as delegates under the Overseas Settlement mission scheme. From the information submitted by these delegates, it appears that many thousands of young women recently released ft-om militarv duties, are available for emigration to the Overseas Dominions. The Imperial authorities purpose launching a comprehensive scheme of overseas settlement, and the delegates were instructed to obtain information as to tne opportunity offering and the conditions obtaining in Now Zealand. In the course of various interviews with Misses Grxdler and Watkin, two chief

difficulties presented themselves. In the first place it was made clear that before any of these women workers are despatched to the Dominion local emplovers must bo prepared to give a definite "tuv flertaking of employment for each individual worker immediately upon digemnailw'tion, at a living wage of not less liian oJs to 35s per week As the workers ♦wild only be classed as .unskilled, this ! ;-o!-Mi,,u appeared at first to present con-.-!(..■:..bia difficulty. This was almost entirely removed, however, bv the information submitted by the delegates as to the methods of careful selection to be adopted by the Imperial authorities, and as to the exceptionally high standard of women available for selection. In the second place the problem of providing accommodation and housing for the immigrants presented a still more serious difficulty and at the present moment a eolution of this problem' is still to be found. As a Hual outcome of the negotiations the delegates were notified that specified employers in Dunedin would undertake to absorb not less than 100 of the selected immigrants, provided the New Zealand Government or soma other proper authority would in the meantime formulate a definite scheme of housing and accommodation. The _ executive invite any members interested in thi« question to place their views and requirements before the association if they have not already done so. It is satisfactory to record a marked improvement during tho vear in membership, 28 new members having enrolled. Nevertheless, it must be maintained that the association's standing will not be what it should _ be until every manufacturer in Otago, without exception, has linked up. The executive desire to thank members for so readily meeting the calls made upon them during the "year for increased subscriptions and for special donations. As a result of this response the finances of the association are now on a sound basis, and more in keeping with the status of the organisation than was formerly the case. The Chairman in moving the adoption of the annual report said :—The 12 months for which I have had the honor to be I president of the Manufacturers' Association | has seen the Empire full of difficulties and I problems, many of which are not yet seen in their true proportions owing to" the ab- | normal, conditions which still affect the markets of the world. As to crur efforts for the past 12 months, I think we can justly claim they have been successful. The special committees have given their time in dealing with matters that required their prompt attention, and I should like to put on record the excellent services given by our secretary (Mr W. E. C. Reid) and his able assistant (Mr G. \V. Beid). As you can readily understand with an .association of only three years' standing, much preliminary work has" been accomplished and worthily carried out. which could only have been done by careful thought and attention. On referring to our last annual report and the president's opening remarks in which lie em- | bodies a request that a larger representa-j tion of our manufacturers should become ! members and take an active part in the guidance of our aims. I think we cm j elaimto have made considerable headway in tin's direction. Almost every trade is represented in our and the year's work must be considered satisfactory and the aims and objects of the association to have been well established. During the earlier part of my terra of office the question of having a n exhibition of locallymade products was fully considered, the Defence Department assisting us very materially by consenting to allow the use of the Drill Hall for that purpose. This, unfortunately, had to be dropped owing [ to the scarcity of Taw materials making j extensive exhibits almost impossible. The j special Exhibition Committee that was set vp for that purpose decided cs a preliminary step to join hands with the A. and P. Society, and we are now exhibiting at the Winter Show. For a solution m these problems the position of the manuI facturer is a factor of great importance owing to the shortage of commodities with j which the civilised world is at present afflicted. At the present moment our fac- | tories pay be said to have reached normal conditions _ as far as a war to a. peace condition is concerned, but in other respects the position is far from normal. Raw materials are difficult to obtain, and orders hard to fulfil, and there has never been m history a time when it was so difficult to forecast costs or make firm quotations. Labor costs are rising everywhere as also are the prices of material, which were expected to fall within a few months of the signing of the armistice. To the workers of this country it must be brought home, that unless everyone is prepared to do his Best to give an output consummate with the increase in wages and the standard of living, we must be severely handicapped in competition in the very near future. It is particularly important thatthis result should be obtained m regard to coal and other key industries. Output 15 the only solution of the present high Cost of Living. Higher wages and i«ss production must surely end in crisis The Cost of Living is governed bv the

cost of production, both in regard to primary products and secondary manufactures; hence shorter hours of work musf increase the cost of all materials, including food and clothing, while the maximum output in the hours worked must result in cheapening the article produced, as the cost of production inevitably controls selling price. The only possible way for the workers to secure a substantial increase in wages without corresponding increase m the Cost of Living is by increasing output. We all claim the right as citizens to do the best we can to promote the comfort and happiness of those that are near and dear to us, and this, I believe, is the underlying principle which controls the thoughts and actions of the majority of citizens in all walks of life. That great patriotic spirit which sprang to the _ assistance of our Empire in the hour of need had its origin in this principle. We should endeavor still further to impress upon the Government the necessity of the appointment of a Minister of Commerce for the development and protection of the manufacturing industries, and a research department should be established where manufacturers could get information euch as is available in the Agricultural Department. Information should be available when scientifio guidance is required, as there are few firms in the Dominion who have their own laboratories for research work. Many of our waste products could and should "be utilised, and thus open up fresh avenues of employment. During the earlier part of the vear we were visited by two envoys from the Imperial Government, the two ladies in question being Misses Girdler and Watkins, who came.to the Dominion to ascertain labor conditions for women workers who were_ desirous to migrate to the Overseas Dominion. Durins the war period Britain ■ had something like 400,000 voluntary women workers doing all classes of labor. I It must be understood that these women ■ have been drawn from the middle classes of Britain, and during their service under i "The Women's Auxiliary Service"' the remuneration was small compared with that of other classes of women workers in munition works, thus showing a etrong patriotic spirit and a desire to assist the Mother Land. A very considerable portion of these were engaged in domestic work as cooks, housemaids, and general domestic workers in military, naval, and Air Force camps and the hospitals, while others followed agricultural pursuits. On demobilisation many returned to their homes and followed their previous occupations, hut there are a proportion who are desirous of coming to the Dominion. While the ladies were in Dunedin they attended two meetings of our association, and discussed fully their mission, and our members ruaranteed to find employment for from 60 to 100 women should the Imperial authorities decide to send these exservice women out. But the great difficulty that confronted na was the housing question, and manufacturers could not undertake to find them accommodation. The two envoys are now en route to London, and our association are in communication with the Overseas Settlement Committee. Mr W. R. Hayward seconded the motion, and said he thought the treasurer (Mr J. G. Neil) was to be congratulated on the balance-sheet presented (which allowed a credit of £ll3 10s). The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. The following effice-bearers were elected:—President, Mr W. R. Hayward; vice-president, Mr J. G. Neil; treasurer, Mr R. J. Hudson ; Committee of Management —Messrs A. E. Usherwood, R. \V. Bricke.ll, W. Burt. W. B. M. Tea, W. M'Kinlav, 11. F. Sincock, A. Smellie, T. SomerviHe, C. Speight, W. Stevenson, J. M'Donald Stevenson, J. 11. Stewart, and H. F. Skinner (with two others to be elected); auditor, Mr H. F. Sincock. A vote of thanks was accorded the retiring president (Mr Usherwood) for his valuable services durine; the past year. Mr J. S. Fletcher read an interesting paper on concrete roads and their advantages to the commercial community.