INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 6 October 1926, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS.

TARIFF NOT ONLY SOLUTION UP-TO-DATEi METHODS NEEDED. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLING ON, Oct. 5. Alt the annual meeting of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association, the Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Industries and Commerce, Sir John Luke, M.P., and a large and representative gathering attended. . The chairman, M. F. Campbell, said tli,at while the principle of purchase New Zealand goods was gaining ground the statistics showed a decrease in the output of the woollens, boots, shoes, and clothing factories. ' There were many causes to account for this. They trusted the industries would Lave n full hearing from the Government. If extra protection were needed to ensure these manufactures against competition and at the saape time safeguard thie public he hoped it would be granted. Tariffs were not the only solution; we must have up-to-date methods and machinery. The Hon. A. D. McLeod said there was no blinking the fact that there was trade depression in the country at the present time, .although it was not serious, nor did he think it would be serious. Hb corrected an erroneous report of ,a statement by him, when a deputation waited on the Prime Minister on the question of the general uplifting of the tariff. What lie did say was. thljjt any movement for the general uplifting of the tariff which did not take full cognisance of the conditions of the primary producers, would be fraught .with a" certain amount of danger. It higher tari If walls produced only greater profit, increased wages and shorter hours to the workers, and did not increase the output, then any protection given would prove fallacious; not to say dangerous. He also impressed cm the manufacturers the need for improvement in “get-up” and outside ‘attractiveness of many articles, instancing Oalifornia'n tinned fruits as an example to follow.