INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 13969, 27 January 1906, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The committee of the Industrial As- ' •ociation of Canterbury met last night, Mr W. W. Charters presiding. There were also present Alessrs J. C. "Wilkin, R. Buchanan, J. A. Frostick, A. W. Beaven, T. Horsley and G. R. Hart. THE PROPOSED LABOUR CONFERENCE. A telegram from Mr Seddon was read as follows:—“Your letter of January ' 17, forwarding subjects for discussion at the proposed conference, received. The question is to bo considered by Cabinet on my return to Wellington, whether or not it is advisable to proceed with the conference in .face of the employers having- withdrawn therefrom.” ' Mr. Hart moved —“ That the Industrial Association notes with much_ pleasure that the Employers’ Association of Canterbury, representing the largest manufacturing district of New Zealand, has approved of being represented at the proposed Labour Conference, and expresses- the hope that the Premier will proceed with the conference. "Wo suggest that the only, subjects for consideration should be those sent in by •the Premier, which, if adopted,_ would probably remove the difficulty raised by the Employers’ Federation that too much time would be required to discuss the larger order paper.” Mr Buchanan seconded the motion, which was carried. The Department of Labour forwarded ■ a circular, stating that Employers’ Associations and Trades and Labour Councils had been invited to send two delegates each to the proposed conference; that gold and coal mining unions of employers and workers should have provincial representation; and that seamen’s, tailoresees’ and bootmakers ■federations Of workers had been invited to send one representative each; the total number being seventy-three, thir-ty-seven employers and thirty-six work- ' ere; but that the voting power throughout the conference should be equal. The Provincial Council Chambers ' (Christchurch) had been secured. THE SUMNER CANAL. ' The Chamber of Commerce wrote, stating that it had appointed a subcommittee to-go into the question of , the proposed Lyttelton Harbour extension from a commercial viewpoint. ' In accordance with the Chamber s ( request/ a sub-connnitt^e 3 consisting of '-the president (Mr W. W. Charters) and Messrs Frostick, and Wilkin, was appointed to work with the Chamber of Commerce in considering the canal scheme. ’ The chairman said there was no qnes- - tion as to the benefits of a Christ- " church canal, and the only question was one of feasibility. "THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS AND ANNUAL REPORT. '■ The annual meeting, at, which there was a good attendance of members, took place immediately after the committee meeting. After thanking members for re-elect-ing him to the position of president, Mr Charters delivered his presidential' address. He said that increased interest had been taken by members in the work of the Association, monthly meetings of the committee had been held, and meetings of the members, all of which had been well attended. One of the most important matters dealt with had been the desirability of bringing before the public the advantages to be gained by pur--1 chasing New Zealand-made goods in preference to the imported article, and in this connection the Association had thought that the question was so broad ‘that.both employer,and employee could work hand in hand, with resulting bene- ' fit to both. It had been decided to ■ invite the Trades and Labour Council * to send delegates to a meeting to bo hold to consider the question. The ■ Trades and • Labour Council cordially * agreed to the suggestion, and at the quarterly meeting of ‘ the Association’s members, held on June 30, delegates from that Council had attended, and - a joint committee had been set up to go fully into-the question of the promotion and encouragement of New - Zealand manufactures and productions, apd report fully _ thereon to a future ■ meeting. The joint committee set up 'had proceeded at once to work, and had decided to formulate a series of ’ questions dealing with matters affecting New Zealand manufactures and productions, to invite representatives from manufacturers, retailers, consumers, workers, etc., and ask them to give evidence. A number of meetings had been held, and a large amount of evidence taken: manufacturer, retailer and worker had i loyally placed their services at the committee's disposal, and keen interest had been taken in the proceedings. He had hoped to be able to lay the committee’s report before the meeting, but circumstances prevented this being done. At the request of the_ Trades and Labour Council an interim report had been issued, dealing with the International Harvester Trust matter, and 'ts probable effect on local agricultural machinery-makers. At the further request of the Workers’ Committee, the had agreed to send a re■presentative to Wellington to accom- " pany the workers’ delegates and inter--1 view the members of the House of Representatives. The result was the passing of an Act, which all hoped would have the effect the deputation desired. The question of the Midland Railway had received a large amount of attention during the year, and a strong and representative deputation had been sent to Wellington to interview the’ Government and urge speedy construction, in order that the east and west might be united, with resultant benefit to both •ides of the island. The question of the reduction in the rate to and from Lyttelton was still agitating the public, as it was a matter vitally affecting the interests, both * of consumer, producer and manufacturer. The Minster of Railways had made a reduction of 3d per ton, and , claimed that by sc doing he had fulfilled his promise, but the Association joined issue with the Minister at that point. It did not ask for reduction; it only asked to be placed on the same .„ footing as other port lines in the i. colony were placed, and that the cor- ;; rect mileage should be charged. The matter of the Christchurch Canal had been brought prominently before ‘ the public by the publication of an able , and interesting report of Mr Cyrus Wil- . liams, and the Association was asked join with the Chamber of Commerce "' and other public "bodies in going into the matter from a commercial point of t view. He felt sure' that there could hardy be two opinion® .as to the advisability of such a canal. The question of ils feasibility and the ways and means to accomplish it had yet to be decided, but there was no doubt that if it- could be carried but it would be of immense benefit to Christchurch and North Oanetrbury. The question of l; vested interests in Lyttelton would natur rally cause some heartburning, but the future of Christchurch city was para- " mount. Should the port be removed to Christchurch, there would still be a - good future for Lyttelton, and it migjhtbecome the favourite marine suburb of f Christchurch. . With regard to the Industrial and Labour Parliament, the Association bad appointed its president and Mr R. Allan to represent it, hut at present _ there seemed to be some doubt as to whether it would be held. He would be sorry to see it fall through, as ho felt convinced that much good might be acomplished by the meeting in con- ; ference of employees and employers. He was afraid, however, that the door ‘ of the proposed conference had been opened rather too wide, and that too ' many conflicting elements and contentious matter were likely to be introduced.

Nearly every member of the association was engaed in committee work on the Exhibition, and ho trusted .that New Zealand manufactures and productions would form the strongest feature of the Exhibition. An appreciation of the valued work of one of the Association’s members, Mr Robert Allan, in previous exhibitions, had been shown by the Government in appointing him as an Executive Commissioner. Dealing with the progress of the colony, Mr Charters quoted figures showing the progress made during the ten years, and said that the figures would prove an answer to- pessimistic predictions. Generally speaking, the volume of trade had expanded greatly; the staple industries flourished, capital found satisfactory investment, workers secured good wages and conditions of labour, there was ho dearth of employment, and the people as a whole were happy and contented. Schemes wore being prepared for increasing the rate of progress in the future, and it was likely that within a few years there would be several very notable developments of the colony’s progress. Local manufactures in some directions were not keeping pace with the general progress of the colony, and it was the Association's duty to find the weak spots and remedy them as far as lay in its power. The farming community had had a most prosperous time; good prices had been obtained for frozen meat and wool, and all other products of the soil sold readily and well. The Government was continuing its policy of searching for markets, and had sent out a special commissioner to several countries with the object of working up a connection. It was proposed to spend over £50,000 during the present year in the development of the colony’s vast possibilities in regard to water power, which existed in several of the large rivers in different parts of the country. The water power resources were a natural asset of immense value. _By judicious development, many industries which could not be profitably carried on at present in the colony would be successfully established, and they should add to the general piosperity and offer employment to a largely increased population. The purchase of the Canterbury Hall was once more before the public, and in order to preserve the hall in its present state, tne Association, at a general meeting, resolved to authorise its directors on the Board' of the company/ to accept £21,000 from the city as the purchase money, the difference (£4000) between the price agreed to by_ the company as, its selling value, £25,000, to be met by the shareholders out of their share values. As the Association was the holder of shares to the value of £4345, this meant a direct contribution of about £BOO. He trusted the ratepayers would not lose the chance of obtaining the property at such a reasonable price ds it was. now offered at. He was glad to report that the technical school movement was once again very much alive. Mr W. Minson, who had worked energetically and devotedly in this cause in the past, had again accepted a position on the Board of Managers, at the earnest request of the committee.• A vote of £lO 10s had been made to the funds, but, in the event of the city taking over the Hall ' property, the contribution could be increased. ' _ In conclusion, he wished to bear testimony to the cordial assistance he had received from every -member of the committee and Association, during the past year, and he trusted that during the coming year they would do useful work, and, although all fully engaged in the work of the Exhibition, yet be enabled to - devote a portion of their time in furthering the interests and objects of the Canterbury Industrial Association.. The chairman then moved the adoption of the report. Mr Hart seconded the motion. Meissrs Beaven, Buchanan and Fr-os-tick congratulated the chairman on his energy during the year. Mr Wilkin said that the Association had been regarded as a defunct body, and may have got into a languishing state, but the president had done a great deal to lift it up, resuscitate it, and bring it prominently before the public. Mr Frostick said that ho hoped, as forecast in the address, that the president would endeayour to continue the good work that he had commenced, and also keep, as far as possible, the workers and employers in touch with one another. In tlie past there had been a good deal of misunderstanding, but he did not say that either party was to blame for it. There was no doubt that a section of the community believed that the mere fact -of a man being an employer made him their mortal enemy; while many employers thought that certain men were born to work for their employers’ pleasure. But those days bad passed, and it must be recognised that the worker ought to have a voice in the industrial work of the country. The report was adopted. The balance-sheet, which was adopted, showed that the balance in 1904 had been £39 19s 9d. Subscriptions during the year had amounted to £6O 10s, and rente received £56 19s.* Outgoing rents, salaries and expenses had amounted to £lO7 12s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £49 16s 3d. The only liability was a sum of £lO. representing the 1906 donation to the Technical School, Tli e assets were: —Rents due to December 31, £lO 8s 6d; office furniture, etc., £SO; bank balance, £49 16s 3d; shares Hall Company, £4345; leaving a balance of £4445 4s 9d. The chairman said that practically the Association was £lO better off since last year. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr W. W. Charters; vice-presidents, Messrs J. C. Wilkin and W. Sey; treasurer, Mr T. N. Horsley; committee —Messrs R. Allan, G. Anderson, R, Buchanan, E. C. Brown, G. T. Booth, A.,W. Beaven, W. Congreve, J. Duncan, J. A. Froetiok, A. G. Howland, H. Hepburn, G. R. Hart, F. E. Jones, W. Minson, R. E. M’Dongall, J. Maddren, J. Mitchell, A. Peppier, J. L. Scott, G. J. Smith. Mr Horsley was elected, but resigned in favour of Mr Jones. On the motion i of Mr Hart, a hearty vote of thanks was' accorded the chairman for his zeal and energy in connection with the conference of Trades and Labour Councils and the Association, promoted at his instigation. The meeting then, closed with votes of thanks to the treasurer and auditor.