THE PRIME MINISTER

Evening Star, Issue 18650, 3 June 1924, Page 8

THE PRIME MINISTER

ADDRESS TO MANUFACTURERS. A VARIETY OF TOPICS. Tho Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. W. F. Massey, P.C.) last night attended the annual meeting of tho Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association and addressed the members shortly on a few matters affecting their interests. PROPER ORGANISATION NECESSARY. The Prime Minister, who was loudly cheered on arrival, and greeted with the singing of “ For lie’s a jolly good fellow,” expressed thanks for the warm welcome accorded him. Every time he came to Dunedin, he said, he was certain of a hearty welcome. Their interests as manufacturers were in very good hands when they were looked after hy the Don. Mr Downie Stewart as Minister of Industries and Commerce. He was very glad to hear that the organisation was prosperous and vigorous, lie had come to the conclusion that no industry could exist unless there was a pro]W‘,r organisation to look after its interests. That was especially tho case since the war. He, was thinking of what was going on in regard to the depreciated currency in some other countries with which they came into competition. 'I hose countries were .able to manufacture their goods at a much less cost. Mr Downie Stewart no doubt kept his eye on what was going on in that respect. Just a few days ago he had received a letter (rom London which, very much to his surprise, included copies of correspondence which had passed between a (inn in Germany and a firm in New Zealand, and in which the German linn strongly impressed upon tho New Zealand lirm the necessity of having its goods passed into New Zealand as llrilish goods so that they might get tho benefit of the British preferential tariff rate. Ho did not hear .much of that sort of thing, but his correspondent in Hnndon was very earnest alnnit it. Ho would refer the matter officially to the Hon. Downie Stewart. Yve in the. British countries were supposed to admit goods from foreign countries on the understanding that 25, per cent, of the manufacture of those goods was British. It did not matter where they were manufactured. H rlid not seem to him to be a fair condition. (“ Hear, hear.”) To him, 25 per cent, seemed altogether out of the question ; it ought to be at least 50 per cent., and he was not sure that that was enough. When he was abroad, lie was told that, in regard to goods coming from foreign countries into British eon nines, the packing, railway carriage, and other details went into the 25 per cent. rate, the goods then coming here as British goods. It, was not fair to tho manufacturers here and to onr fellow citizens in Britain, He had often wondered why the British Government did not take np the matter and pass satisfactory legislation on the [‘saint. THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Mr Massey sawd hr had been surprised In hear something abovt- Hie dumping of canned fruits in New Zealand. Australia was regarded as our neighbor, and we li'u'd to treat tier in business fairly and properly, so he hoped what he had heard about dumping from there was not correct. Tim fruitgrowers in New Zealand had had a hard time. The people who grew apples bad had a harder time than the other growers. Tim fruitgrower had to he given a ehaner, or would have to go out of existence. Our fruit had a good name at Home, and Otago apples in particular kept heller than those from other parts. The Government had helped the growers, and would continue to help them.

COLORED LABOR COMPETITION. Mr Massey also mentioned the matter of the competition of cheap colored labor. It was not properly realised here yet, but he felt very strongly about it. fan far ns he was personally concerned he was not going to allow Mm people of this country to be brought into unfair competition with colored labor fn other countries. EXHIBITIONS.

In regard to Urn New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, Ah’ .Massey said he was giad to hear that arrangements wc.ro going on satisfactorily, and he hoped and believed the Exhibition would bo a tremendous success. (Hear, hear.) Tlw.se exhibitions were, really the shop windows of Hie. conn trios to which we belonged. The Exhibition would not be a Dunedin exhibition entirely; it would be a New Z'-aland exhibition, (Applause.) Mr Massey went on to refer to the Now Zealand display at the Wembley Exhibition, and said the people in Great Uriba-in would sec that in the overseas countries the people were building up young British Marions. He looked Soi-wanl to the time when New- Zealand would take its proper place among the nations of ihe world, and particularly among the nations of the Empire. In regard to (he request coming before Him bv a deputation on Wednesday, what- he would rccommem I would have U> go before Cabinet. He did nor know what influence Mr I townie Stew-art, and lie would b© able to bring to bear. IA \ oioo; We'll risk it.) He was Finance Minister, and had to lake, good care of the public purse. He knew the people ot Dunedin could take care of public money as well as take care of their own. and that was saying a great deal. I Laughter.) “When T think,'’ continued .Mr .Massey, “about the .Dental School and tile Medical School''- -A Voice: “ Don’t think about it.”) “ I am sure,” replied the Prime Minister. ’’ (hat 1 have found the Dunedin conscience.” Mr .Massey said he believed in encouraging the nrimarv and the secondary industries. He hoped that at the Show in this city he would notice that- the primary tvtui the secondary industries were working hand in band, not, only for the. benefit of the province, but also for the benefit of the dominion. Hlea.r. hear.)