“UNSATISFACTORY” IS HOW ENGINEERS SUM UP LAST YEAR

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6551, 7 March 1928, Page 7

“UNSATISFACTORY” IS HOW ENGINEERS SUM UP LAST YEAR

Lines Being Imported At Impossible Prices THINGS MAY BE BETTER THIS YEAR (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Mar. 6. “Trade iu the engineering industries has been unsatisfactory during the past year,’’ said Mr. H. M. Warner, president of the New Zealand ironmasters’ Federation, in moving the adoption of the report fit the annual Dominion conference which opened to-day. “Many lines which'could, and should, be manufactured hero are being imported at prices with which it is impossible for us to compete. The prices now being scoured for farming produc? give promise of improved trade as money comes into circulation. “In Auckland the operations of ths Apprenticeship Committee have been confined to patching up differences ber tween apprentices and employers, but should any question of principle be involved it is quite possible that t deadlock would occur. “So far, there has been felt no great benefit from last year’s amendment t» tho Act abolishing the district quota of apprentices as from February. This may be put down to the general slackness of trade, but when business revives the ability of each employer to take on tho full individual quota cf apprentices will bo a distinct advantage. “The ongiheoring trade awards expire in June and the most important business of the conference concerns the attitude to be taken by the Federation regarding any application for new awards by the Unions.” The following officers were elected: President, Mr. G. M. Hale, of Christchurch; vice-presideat, Mr. A. C* Michell; executive, Messrs. Shaddock, Brown and Gray, Dunedin; Mitchell and Gable, Wellington; Hall and Andrews, Christchurch; Fraser, Burt -and Warner, Auckland. The next conference will be held at Christchuren.