MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 17599, 2 March 1921, Page 7

MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION

CASE FOR TARIFF COMMISSION. A meeting of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association was held last evening, Mr W. R. Hayward presiding. Owing to the absence of several members from Dunedin, it was resolved to postpone consideration of the report of the delegates to the Auckland conference. The chairman, however, said he wished to make a few remarks that evening. Unfortunately, he said, the conference was not such a good one as that held at Dunedin last year. The Wellington and Canterbnry ' Associations had-not arranged for the collecting of information regarding the tariff, and the result was that they were not in a position to submit statements to the Tariff Commission concerning the whole of the industries of New Zealand. This, however, would not debar any manufacturer from being heard before the Commission. The Dunedin statements were readv, and they had until March 7 to submit them, and ho thought they should do so. As a matter of tact, the amendments suggested were modelled on the Australian tariff. Auckland and Dunedin were the only provinces that had prepared statements. Unfortunately statements in regard to the various trades had not been prepared, and that should be done. In cases where it was not, they could not say to the Commission that this was the considered opinion of the industry throughout the Dominion.

The chairman’s remarks were discussed at some length in committee, and it was then resolved, on the motion of Mr J. S. Fletcher, seconded by Mr H. P. Sincock, that the chairman of the Tariff Commission be requested to allow the appointment of a Dunedin representative to submit tabulated statements setting forth the requirements of the various industries, and oall expert evidence in support of the statements. The meeting then adjourned till Tuesday, March 15.