INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11227, 26 March 1897, Page 2

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the committee of the Industrial Association of Canterbury waa held last evening; present—Messrs J. IA Triggs (president), T. N. Horsley, A. G, Howland, H. B. Kirk, J. L. Scott, J. Waller, R. Buchanan, N. Jewett, J. A. Frostick, G. R. Hart and A. W. Beavon. An apology for absence was received from Mr R. C. Bishop. Mr P. Waymouth wrote stating that as he was about to visit England, and would probably bo away about six months, he wished to resign his position on the committee. The resignation was accepted with regret. The Minister of Public Works wrote X forwarding’ Parliamentary papers relating to the manufacture of sugar from beet, a copy of the “Year Book,” the Industrial Societies Act, 1883, and a bound copy of tlie Labour Laws, and stated that he had given instructions for the Labour m Journal to be sent to the Association in future. It was decided to thank the Minister for the papers. Mr J. A. Prostick read the report of the sub-committee which had been appointed to compile a history of the Association. The report dealt in a concise form with the salient points of the Association’s history, and was passed and will be printed with the new rules. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the sub-committee for its work. Mr A. L. Smith, local manager for the Milbura Lime and Cement Company, wrote drawing attention to the way in which local Industrie! were "encouraged” by X some public bodies. He said that for some years his company had supplied the Christchurch City Council with Portland Cement, manufactured in Dunedin, the tender haying been accepted in open competition with other locally-made and imported cements. He believed the cement had always given satisfaction; at any rate he had had no complaints. The competition of the locally-made cements had been the means of largely reducing the price of the imported article, thereby causing a considerable saving to the users of cement. A short time ago tenders were invited for the supply of cement to the Christchurch City Council for twelve months as usual. His tender was the lowest, but the Council had accepted a tender for imported cement at 9d per cask more than his price, equal to about 6 per cent advance. On inquiry he could not ascertain that there was any fault to find with his company’s cement, nor any ’ good reason for paying more for an imported article than for the local one. Messrs Hart, Scott, Eeaven and Eirk were appointed a sub-committee to interview the Works Committee of the City Council on, the matter.

A letter was read from the Secretary of the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association stating that the Canterbury Association's letter with regard to the federation of the New Zealand Industrial Societies, and draft scheme, had been read at the last meeting of the committee. The views expressed were endorsed, and the principle of federation was agreed to. The details of the scheme would be considered at another meeting to bo held shortly. The President said he thought the time had come for the Association to make a stir about the exorbitant railway rates which were charged on the LytteltonChristehurch line. He thought that they might invite the members of Parliament to meet the committee, and also work up a petition amongst the manufacturing and industrial community. He suggestedthat a sub-committee should be appointed to go into the matter. Mr Beaven said he did not think the members of Parliament would care to come to another conference. They had had one with another body’ and bad been heckled there, bub he thought that a petition would have a good effect. Mr Hart agreed that it was not much use holding a conference with the members. It was the Government they wished to influence, and they could do that by a remonstrance. Messrs Buehanau, Kirk and Howland spoke on the subject. • Mr Scott said that a public meeting, with three or four good speakers, should arouse some enthusiasm. After some further discussion, the President and Messrs Waller, Beaven, Prostick and Kirk were appointed a sub-committee to draft information to lay before the General Committee concerning the rates on the Lyttelton-Christchurch railway line. Mr P. A, Webster was appointed to the committee in place of Mr Waymouth, resigned, and Mr J. Maddren in place of Mr C. H. Lightband. The President and Vice-presidents wers appointed a sub-committee to make recommendations for life membership. The meeting then closed.