INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXII, Issue 7350, 19 September 1884, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

A special meeting of tho Committee of tho Canterbury Industrial Association was held last evening, for the purpose of considering the desirability of revising the Customs tariff} present—Messrs J. L. Scott (President), E. Jones, B. Shanks, C. M. Gray, A. 0. Howland, T, Pavitt, F. Jones, J. Waller, E. C. Ashby, P. Duncan, H. B. Kirk, R. Allan. W. S. King, and F. Jenkins.

Apologies wore made for the absence of Messrs M. Sandstein and R. Buchanan.

Mr C, M. Gray, with the view of testing the feeling of the meeting, moved—“ That the further consideration of the Customs tariff ho postponed tine die." He said that his reason was that Sir Julius Vogel evidently intended to foster local industries in other ways than through the Customs tariff. There would always be a consider* afcle difference of opinion on the various itomfe of the tariff, and nothing would bo gained now by discussing them. It would be fox the interest of the Association, he thought, for the question tc be deferred, in order to see how Sir Julius’ proposition would work, Mr P. Duncan seconded the motion. Ho considered that it would be useless for the Committee to ask for alterations in the tariff, which they were not likely to get. Mr T. Pavitt moved as an amendment — “That the Committee proceed to discuss the tariff at once,” It would, he contended, be a great mistake to abandon the result of the labours of the Committee, and to virtually admit that all their|past action had been a mistake. To discuss the question would, ho thought, show who were the earnest supporters of the Association, because some of the most earnest members of the Committee had proposed several of the alterations in the tariff. Mr E. Jones seconded the amendment. He thought it would be a great mistake to go back from the position the Association had hitherto takOn up with regard to the tariff, simply because one person objected to that position. Many of the industries of New Zealand were languishing for want of protection, and it would be doing a wrong to the Colony for the Association to go hack now. Efforts, he would like to point out, were being made in other parts of the Colony in the direction in which the Association had already gone. Most of the opposition came, he considered, from one individual, who could hardly be expected to approve of protection. Mr Howland supported the amendment. It would, ho thought, be a mistake for the Association to go back now, as if they did, it would appear that they were frightened to move further because a few letters had been written to the newspapers. To increase the tariff would hurt no one but the importers, who were a very small proportion of the population of New Zealand, while the benefits derived from encouraging Colonial industries would be very great. The amendment was put and carried on the voices.

The Committee then proceeded to consider the report of the Sub-Committee, which had been referred back to the Committee by the hist general meeting of members.

Mr E. Jones remarked that the Committee should refrain fi'om recommending any alterations in the tariff which would injuriously affect the agricultural industry, which ho considered was the most important industry pursued in the Colony, and ono on which all others were really dependent. Mr C. M. Gray moved, and Mr R. Allan seconded—“ That the revision of the Customs tariff be considered in Committee.” This was carried ncm. con., and after alterating and modifying the suggestions of the previous Tariff Committee, it was resolved that the report as amended be forwarded to the Colonial Treasurer. The Committee then adjourned.