MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 18650, 3 June 1924, Page 9

MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. A REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING. The annual meeting of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association was held in the Savoy Lounge last night, Mr J. Speight presiding in the absence of the president (Mr R. Cuddie). There were about forty members present, and at the conclusion of the business of the meeting a social evening was held, which was attended by tho Prime Minister, the iton. W. Downier Stewart, tho mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley), Mr Peter Barr (president of the Chamber of Commerce), Air J. Sutherland Ross (chairman N.Z. and South Seas Exhibition Company), and Mr S. B. Macdonald (president Otago Expansion League). (Several musical and other items were given by Messrs Untton, Walls, Collier, and A. Dempster. The Chairman referred to the absence of tho president (Mr R Cuddie) and the secretary \V. E. C. Reid), both of whom were in tho Old Country enjoying, ho hoped, a well-earned rest. THE ANNUAL REPORT.

Tho annual report stated, inter alia, Unit there were indications that industrial conditions had now settled .down to a more normal basis. There were still dangerous shoals to bo negotiated. At the present moment, for instance, some manufacturers were faced with difiiculties arising from over-importation of British and foreign goods by those engaged in retail, and, perhaps, in wholesale, trade. Apparently even tho stringent lessons learned during the recent slump’ had been insufficient to prevent an early recurrence, in part at least, of this dangerous and economically suicidal form of over-trading. It seemed hard to convince some importers that a real danger lurked in the tempting offers of goods made to them by tho representatives of overseas lipases at prices so low as to suggest almustun element of dumping. The tendency was for the importer to seize what seemed to him a golden opportunity, and to order substantially more than his normal requirements. The danger was that must others in the same line do the same thing—and the final result was as obvious as it was inevitable. Apart from its disorganising effects upon the ordinary channels of distribution within the dominion and upon trade conditions generally, this over-importalian presented a serious problem for the local manufacturer. Bast experience showed how difficult and intricate a matter it would be to find a solution for the trouble. The proper solution must be more than a mere theory; it must be capable of practical and effective application. One thing that might be exported to help materially was the regular compilation of reliable trade statistics, coupled with extensive propaganda for the dissemination of the results among traders in a form that would appeal to the individual, and [rorhaps educate him to a proper appreciation of the lessons in practical economics thus placed before him. There was possibly great scope for development along these lines in the activities of the Department of Industries and Commerce, in conjunction with the officers of the Government Statistician’s Department. There were good grounds for an abiding faith in the buoyancy of our industrial enterprises and their ability to make steady progress in tho years to coma. It would continue to be tho aim and object of the association io lend every possible assistance to members-—par-ticularly that kind of assistance which rested on the fundamental truth that unity was strength. Reference was .made to the severance of the association from the New Zealand Industrial Corporation, and tho report passed on to deal with the Customs tariff. In July last the Government announced its intention of imposing an import duty on glass bottles and jars, the object being to secure protection for the newly-estab-lished glassworks at Penrose, Auckland. The question was investigated closely by the executive in conjunction with the numerous- members who were users of glass bottles or containers. It was realised 4t the outset that the association must in its very nature stand firmly for the encouragement of new industries by every legitimate .means. Nevertheless, this principle must be applied judiciously and with due regard to all surrounding lacters. In this particular case it was ultimately found necessary to oppose the proposed duty. It was found, in the first place, that the Penrose company could not hope to manufacture anything like tho full range of articles nccestery to meet the varied requirements of bottle users; yet the proposal was to impose tho duly on all lines In the second place, tho glass bottle or container fell under tho category of raw material from the point of view of large numbers of oifr local industries. Hence the imposition of a duty meant a serious added burden to those manufacturers, especially as many Imported competitive lines in glass bottles or containers would apparently continue to come in free of ail duty,” or with no equivalent added burden." The result of the opposition put forward was to bo found in the fact that the proposals for imposing the duty were substantially modified. Glass bottles up to Boz capacity and glass jars were retained on tho free list, if of British manufacture, while tHe duty imposed on other British lines and on foreign goods was on a much modified scale.

The alleged dumping in the Now Zealand market of imported canned fruits, with disastrous effects on the local manufacturers, was also the subject of investigation. The final outcome was that dumping by Australian manufacturers was found to have, been proved and established to too satisfaction of the Customs auihorities; but the Minister declined to impose a dumping duty to correct tho evil on the grounds that the Californian fruits were being imported at prices comparable with the Australian quotations, but no case of dumping had been definitely proved against the Californian packers. The executive was forced, therefore, to rest content with an assurance that a Customs official was being despatched to California to investigate the position on the spot, and that meantime the imposition of a special duty against the Australian article would merely throw the trade into the hands of the foreign competitors. Attention was also 'given to questions arising out of the removal of tho embargo on the importation of German goods. An investigation by experienced members of the executive indicated that the regulations brought down by the Customs Department would adequately meet the position and safeguard the interests of local manufacturers.

I On behalf of members engaged in the j boot and shoo industry, inquiries were ' made regarding the importation of certain lines purporting to be of British manui'acturc, but.which, judging by the startlingly low price, combined with other available points of evidence, had every semblance of being made from cheap German leathers dumped into tho Home Country. No finality could be reached in the matter, owing to the extremely complicated factors involved. The condition of tho boot and shoo industry, however, required careful investigation. It would be disastrous if the industry were unduly hampered by the competition of cheap-labor countries, and the Government might well give consideration to the question as to whether any measure of relief could bo devised. After dealing with other matters, the report stated that the membership was now the largest since the formation of tho association. An effort was made during the year to bring in manufacturers who have not already joined up, and as a result twenty-two new members were added. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. In moving the adoption of tho annual report and balance-sheet, the Chairman said that tho association had been represented at tho annual conference of the Industrial Corporation in Auckland not as delegates, but by invitation. The time was not ripe for the association to join up with tho corporation, but in the meantime the association would give its heartiest support in any matter that needed cooperation. Referring to the shipping facilities with the West Coast, he said that this matter should bo taken up by tho incoming executive. There had. been a naomtuk liv tba tluiaa StaaSU Ship Co.tU-

pony of a better service, but tho service had lasted a very short, tune. Unless something was done they would have to try and arran'gc a service independent of the Union Coinpany, as tho manufacturers wore realising that they were losing their connection 'with tiro West Coast trade, and that they must try to regain it. The matter of w.indow displays should also receive the attention of the executive. It had been pul iu hand early this year, and he was .sure the windows would make an effective display of Otago’s goods this week. He hoped the association would give its whale-hearted support to tho Exhibition project. The coinpany had not nearly a .sufficient amount of money to carry it throng'll, and it might bo .necessary for the directors to go to the public again for further financial support, and if they did he hoped the association would show its appreciation of what the Exhibition was doing for'Dunedin. Mr R. J. Hudson seomdod the motion, which was carrkn.l. MINISTERS WELCOMED.

The Hon. W. Dmwnie Stewart, who arrived at this slope, was received with hearty applause. 'The Chairman said he knew Mr Stovvart had the interests of the association at heart, and he was always willing to give help in his position as Minister of "TndusLrkss and Commerce^ The Chairman also- welcomed the Prime Minister, who was mrcived with applause. Mr Speight, said t\iat the association esteemed it an'honor to have Mr Massey with them. They looked to the Prime Minister to assist" therm in the future, as he had in the past. £ Somebody had mentioned to him about omr Post Office, but ho was sure that was a joke. (Laughter.) He was sure Mr Massey would make amends when there was a surplus. They had another project, how'ever, in which he hoped Mr Massey wouhJ see eye to eye with them when a deputation from the Exhibition Company came to him on Wednesday. Tic concluded his remarks by asking the members to riso and sing Tor he’s a jolly good fellow;,” which was done. ELECTION OE OFFICERS. The election of office-boarm for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —President, Mr Forsyth Johnston; vice-presi-dent, Mr James Hogg; trojvsurer, Mr 11. J. Hudson; auditor. Mr J. IT. Ftcwart; committee—Messrs 11. Cuddir, C. Speight, W. C. Burt, J. S. Faulkner, W. R. Hayward, E. 11. Lough, W. M‘l Unlay, J. G. Neil, H. E. Skinner, A. Sine.llffi. T. Somerville, T. Tomkins, A. E. Up.hcrwnod, C. Wilson, J. E. Wheeler, W. IV- Shepherd, A. Ellis, and 0. M. Jamiescjn.