CANTERBURY INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 14285, 1 February 1907, Page 8

CANTERBURY INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Canterbury Industrial Association took place last evening, the president (Mr W. W. Charters) occupying the chair.- There was a good attendance. THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT. Tho president, in his annual report, said that it mis with deep and genuine regret that ho opened his address with a reference to tho death of the Right Hon 11. J. Seddon. He did not think there was any other politician who bad taken a keener interest in the industrial welfare of New Zealand. Ho had taken a special interest in the Canterbury Industrial Association, had watched its movements closely, and was always willing to- give full consideration to all proposals that emanated from it. So nmcii had been said and written about the late Premier’s personal qualities and virtues, his strenuous life, hie hard work,_ his unbounded industry, his patriotism, Imperialism and humanitarianism, that nothing was loft for him to say in that direction. Ho sure that the Association, with all sister Associations in the colony, would feel his loss severely, and would regret that he was called away before he had completed the schemes for improving the conditions of the people that Jus largo heart dictated. Sir Joseph Ward had now taken up tho reins, and, ho felt sure, would carry out with ability and enthusiasm tho various schemes for the betterment of the people which were initiated by tho late' Premier, and would always bo ready to promote legislation having the Game object in view. Sir Joseph Ward was new on his way to represent the colony at the Premiers’ Conference in London, and the- Canterbury Association in particular, and' the colony as a whole, had every confidence that Now Zealand would be worthily represented, and that the interests of tho,country were in safe hands. The announcement made by the Premier, at Auckland, that the tariff would be amended, in the direction of permitting raw material required to be used for manufactures in the colony to come in free, and thus place New Zealand manufacturers in tne position of being able to compete with those outeide, and in the judicious building up of local industries, by adjustment of duties, ■ was, he was sure, hailed with satisfaction by every member of the 'Association, and it would be our duty to assist the Government in framing the desired tariff. He had had the pleasure of attending the laying of the foundation-stone of tho Seddon Technical Qp-llege, and in a little while the Technical School would be conducted in buildings worthy of its importance. Ho was sorry thatthe Association, which initiated the movement for technical education in Christchurch had not/been able to vote a substantial sum to tho funds of the College, but its capital being locked up prevented its doing what it would have been only too pleased to do ip. this direction. ■ He had very little to record in the shape of Aes-elation work accomplished during the year, as nearly ©very member was actively engaged in Exhibition work, and the untimely death of the late Premier had prevented the Joint Industrial Committee’s report being printed, or any attempt being made to deal with the Customs tariff during the last session. At the last meeting it had been resolved that an inspection should be made of all the New Zealand exhibits and productions at the International Exhibition, with a view to obtaining data for a report, and this matter should now bo taken up vigorously by the committee. The matter of awards was also in a very unsatisfactory state, and exhibitors were much exercised thereat. It , was quite within the province -of the Association to take the question up, with a view to impressing upon tho authorities the necessity of at once carrying out this important section of Exhibition work. The International Exhibition had been opened in November, and most critics would admit that at least the late Premier’s ideas bad been fully carried out. They were “that the Exhibition should be a milestone on the way, pointing out the colony’s prosperity, an cutward sign of half a century of progress, a great historical event, a lasting benefit, a measure of the peoples industrial progress inside the colony, and a gauge of the strength outside.' In his schemes “the State and the people were to work together in making the Exhibition a success, and they were to lead the colony to greater prosperitv, to an improved civilisation, and to higher ideals.” Although the time allotted to the Exhibition had only half run its course,. he thought he was right in claiming that Mr Sc-cidon b lofty expectations would bo realised. The Exhibition had been praised fat and near, and visitors from other lands had expressed their surprise at such a comprehensive and excellent undertaking being carried out m a colony with a population of only 800,000. Ihe direct financial loss on the Exhibition was estimated not to exceed £4O 000, but this money would not have been wasted if the Exhibition did what Mi S-ddon hoped it would do, and, after all, the indirect benefits to tbe people of the colony were not to be measured m hard cash, and more particularly referred to the exhibits ot an educational, historical and artistic character, with special mention of the music provided for the people. Against .the direct loss must bo placed fhe gam to the revenue bv the increased traffic on the railways and increase of duties through the Customs. In many other ways also, the revenue of the colony would benefit, notably the postal and telegraphic services, so that it was quite probable that if the amounts could ho properly arrived at, it would be found that the colony would not have lest a single penny. It was quite fitting that the Exhibition should bo referred to at leno-th in the report. Tho history of the Exhibition in New Zealand was largely the history of the Association, which could safely claim the honour ot being the founder of the various mdustiiai exhibitions that had been so succe-eml financially and otherwise in Glhltchurch. 'lt was gratifying to note that members of the Association had taken a prominent part in the present enterprise, as members of sectional commLtees, the executive committee and as commissioners. Sir Joseph \Vai'cl, a« the farewell dinner given, him by the citizens of Christchurch, had borne testiitiony to the vjilu&ble work done b\ tho various committees, and had expressed his thanks on behalf of tho Government for their valued services.Although workers and employers had not ’ met in conference this year the Joint Industrial Committee was still m existence, ready for work when occasion arose. This would bo very eoon, as they had to deal with tho New Zealand exhibits at the Exhibition, and the question of amendment to the tariff. The friendly feeling existing between the Association and the Trades and Labour .Council should bo encouraged and fostered, and if this was done, lie felt sure it would lie the means of helping to improve the standard of local industries, and be of direct benefit to both employer and worker. There ought not to be two opposing parties in industrial life. They were really two .sections of one body. Their aims ought to be the same. They should have one goal to reach, and the quickest and best way of reaching it was by combining their forces and working together. Thus the cause of local industry would receive a great impetus, to tho lasting benefit of all concerned. Ho believed bo was fully justified in congratulating members on the year 1906. Tho colony’s industries were in a satisfactory position generally, although they have not attained the posi-

tion the3 r were entitled to, and .'which they ought to occupy iu the colony. Speaking generally, however, the prosperity of the colony continued. The past year- had witnessed an increase rather than a diminution. This was brought about by the high prices obtained for products, and by tho splendid seasons the farmers had enjoyed for many years. Extensive public works were being carried on in nearly all ports ot the colony, and there was a spirit of enterprise abroad which spoke well tor, the colony’s prospects. There were those who professed to look out for a setback, but so long as tho prices of produce maintained a good standard there was no reason why they should have any i'car. The Government- \VR6? considering tho possibility cf establishing an export trade with the Far East, and as far -as lay in its power it would do all possible in this direction. Mr Wilson, the engineer appointed to examine and report upon the Snm-ner-Christchurch canal, had arrived, and the result of bri investigations would bo awaited with interest. He took tho opportunity of congratulating the Hou G. M. Luke, an expres.dont of tho Wellington industrial Association, tho Hon G. J. Smith, a member of the Association, and its auditor, and the Hon John Barr, who had been called upon to represent the Labour interests 'in the Legislative Council. Mr Barr was well known to the members of the Joint Industrial Committee that was set up to deal with tho position of local industries, and, judging by the ability he displayed on that committee, he would make an excellent Legislative Councillor. He proposed to- ask the Association to send a letter of congratulation to each of the gentlemen mentioned. ’ In conclusion, in moving tho adoption cf the report and balance-sheet, the president thanked the Association for its support during his two years of office, which he is now relinquishing, and also for his election to the office of honorary treasurer. -

Tho balance-sheet showed that the receipts, including a balance brought forward of £49 16s 3d, subscriptions £42, rents £73 16s 6d, bad totalled £165 12s 9d, and the expenditure been £l-31 Us Sd, leaving a credit balance cf £34 12s lOd. The balance of assets over liabilities was £4440 5s sd. The report and balance-sheet wore adopted. OTHER BUSINESS. Office-bearers wore elected as follow: —President, Mr A. W. Heaven-; vicepresidents, Messrs W. Sey and R. Buchanan ; honorary treasurer, Mr W. W, Charters; committee, Messrs A. G. Howland, R. Allan, F. E. Jones, R. ,E. M’Dougall, C. B. Cogan, W. Minson, G. T. Booth, J. A. Frcstick, J. L. Scott, John Duncan, A. Peppier, F. 'N. Hornsby, G. R. hart, F. Cooper, G. J. Maddrch, E. C. Brown, J. Mitchell, P. Hercus, W. Congreve and the Hou G. J. Smith; auditor, Mr F. E. Jones. The president said that he- had received a letter from the Auckland Industrial Association regarding the tariff, forwarding copies of the conclusions arrived at by its sub-committees. He had also had a visit from Mr Qlark, and ho wished them to refer to tho correspondence when dealing with the tariff. The letter was referred to the incoming committee. . A letter - recommending the “ booming ” of Christchurch to 1 the consideration of the Association was also referred to- the incoming committee. Mr J. C. Wilkiri' said lie thought the Association should record its feelings of satisfaction at the way in which Mr Charters had performed his duties during the two years of his presidency. The efforts made by Mr Charters had been such that ho deserved tho most sincere thanks on the part of the•• members of the Association and their warm congratulation. Mr Charters had done his utmost to rejuvenate the Association. There was no getting away from the fact that the Association for some time had been slightly out_ of joint, and several other institutions had been started which had assumed to some extent the duties that the Association had performed in the past. Mr Char-' tore had tried earnestly and ably to bring about and put into operation the duties of the Association ’so that it could continue its usefulness as iu the past. They should all appreciate thoroughly the services he had rendered. He would move a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr Charters for the very able way in which he had conducted the ' business 1 of the Association during his presidency. , Mr R. Buchanan seconded the vote of thanks. He said the Association had done a wonderful work, but a time would come with all institutions when there would be a lull, and during the last three years of Mr Charters’s presidency he had had uphill work, and had managed with . care, tact, and energy. His negotiations with the Trades and Labour Council redounded to his credit, apart from the Association. When the Exhibition was over they had a lot of work to do in connection with the revision of the tariff. Mr J. A. Frostick said it appeared to him that tho functions of the Association were likely to be changed somewhat in the fu ure. In, days gone by the Association had had to take up all fields -of questions, and sometimes found itself in a difficult position, beer use, bring non-political, it was sometimes called upon to tread upon ground dangerously near to poli ic«. For reasons over which the employers or the Industrial Association had no control, another organisation had come into operation which to some extent usurped the functions of the Association.. In Rome respects that was a. very good tiling, because it left the Association free to go on with industrial questions purely from an industrial point of view. The Association would bo left free from all political bias, and would be able to meet the Trades and Labour Council to discuss industrial matters, not as between workers and employers, bub purely and simply on. their merits. There would be questions arising which would have to bo dealt with purely from the partisan point of view. There wan'd be quest'ons which the Trades and Labour Council felt must ba dealt with by that section, and there would be (inertions also which* the employers would feel might very well be dealt with net by the joint bodies but by the employers alone. For that purpose the Employers Association would bo very useful. The Industrial Association would bo the joining body between them. Others members spoke to the motion, and it was carried with applause. The question of appointing a delegate and making a donation to the Technical Ofpases was left to the incoming commit'ec. On Mr "Wilkin's motion, the incoming committee was recommended __ to consider ■fhe advisablcness of increasing the subscription to the Association.