BUSINESSMEN IN SOCIAL MOOD

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 174, 26 July 1935, Page 8

BUSINESSMEN IN SOCIAL MOOD

Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner

The annual' dinner of tho Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, which was held in tho Roseo tearooms last evening, was exceptionally well attended by businessmen. The speaker for the occasion was Dr. E. Marsdcn, secretary of the Department of Seientiefie and Industrial Research, who spoke on pioneering work in industry. Tho guests included Messrs A. H. Allen (Dunedin), president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce; Mr M. G. C. McCaul, president of tho Wellington chamber; Messrs A. E. Rankin, W. J. Gil'berd, J. Williams and R. TaJ boys, of the Wanganui chamber; Mr Harvey, Levin chambor; members of the Foxton, Feilding and Marton chambers, and Messrs Joe Ming and Joe Wai, representing the Chinese business community in the city. The Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford), the lion. Mr Justice Blair, aud a number of citizens unable to attend, forwarded apologies. Referring to the toast of ‘‘lndustries aud Commerce,’' Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., pointed out the difficulty experienced by New Zealand in only having one market for its products. Endeavours had been made to open up trade with the East, but the difficulties were many. However, it was hoped that New Zealand would be ablo to share with Australia in that market -u greater measuro than at present. Mr Nash pointed out how the Dominion had been trying to help tho British manufacturer and for that reason the Ottawa agreements should bo allowed to run on. He also pointed to the adverse trado balance in respect of trade with Australia in that market in ing £3,238,121 worth of goods from Australia to New Zealand, and £1,595,047 worth from New Zealand to Australia. Tho trade balances with other countries wero in much the same position and the Government, considering the situation seriously, had sent representatives abroad in au endeavour to effect improvements. Mr Nash referred to the Dominion’s secondary industries and showed how they had grown. In 1932-33 there were 4993 manufacturing establishments, and for 1933-34 they had grown to 5008. In 1932-33 no fewer than G 5,921 were employed in manufacturing, but this number had increased considerably a year later. The value of the 1932-33 manufactures was £06,109,455 and tho 193334 products £71,770,872. Mr Nash also showed how tho wages paid out had increased proportionately. Ho declared that the best gift New Zealand could get, however, was a rise in the price received for its daily products. Mr L. H. Collinson replied to the toast. He declared that it was i.ie imposition of tariffs that had made trade and commerce so difficult and left the world the worse off. As regards the position of tho farmers, many wero making money to-day even with butter-fat at 9}d. It had to be remembered that tho rate of interest had ■ como down in recent years until that 91d now was about equivalent to the Is 7d a lb secured in years gone by. Mr Collinson spoke of the vast improvements that had been made in means of transport and how it was bringing the world together. One nation could not exist on its own, and the closer they got together the more prosperous they became. Mr Collinson spoke interestingly on industries he had investigated abroad and tho value of research. Research in Industry

“Pioneering in Industry" was the subject chosen by Dr. E. Marsden for his address. He pointed out how people were living in an ago of change and extraordinary development. Ho touched on aspects of these changes and said ho was not ono who believed our present difficulties arose from overproduction.

Ho pointed out how New Zealand's short history covered three major industrial revolutions. The first was the mechanical one, which gave an enormous fillip to British manufacturing and led to the aggregation of large cities, and the divorce of town and country. Next camo what ho called the “electrical" revolution, which strengthened the economy of the small town and country areas. New. Zealand was much affected by this revolution which had enabled the dairy industry to bo built up and the establishment of decentralised industries, but with the samo principles of massed production. Now camo the stage commencing about the time of tho war, based on the “chemical" revolution, which

was closely connected with research. Thero cams with it a new conception of industries that was by no moans unreal. Tho speaker pointed out how new industries had been built up solely on steady research in laboratories instead of, as was the caso in the mechanical revolution, on the ideas of single inventors. One could give many examples, he said, of industries going to the wall because they had neglected tho research factor. Something of the same thing, he fancied, was existing in certain directions in New Zealand today, and he was wondering how the solution could bo remedied.

There must have been some real neglect in the flax industry for it to have dropped to where it did. One looked into a bale of flax aud found many different types of hanks produced from different plants and many different qualities of fibre. It was only comparatively recently that fundamental research into flax plants and methods of manufacture was started and errors remedied. Ev,2ii in respect of cheese, similar errors Had been made. Tho decision to make cheese in factories had been proceeded with in the absence of research into the new processes Tuning parallel with tho change over. Now the industry was confronted with enormous problems that might have been avoided. Like stories could be told of other industries. Dr. Marsdeu pleaded for research in all industry as tho only way in which sound progress could be made.

Other Toasts The toast of ‘‘City of Palmerston North and District’’ was proposed by Mr M. G. C. McCaul (president of the Wellington chamber) and responded to by Mr A. J. Graham and ill- J. Litiklater, M.P.

Mr A. E. Rankin was entrusted with tho toast of “Associated Chambers.”

Co-operative Effort

Ail outline of the work of tho associated chambers was given by Mr A. 11. Allen (Dunedin), president of the parent body, when replying to ihe toast. There was no doubt, ho said, that local chambers gave excellent service to their own community, but to render a national service it was necessary that their work be co-ordinated through a head organisation, which was the Associated Chambers of Commerce. Throughout, tho year it was essential that constituent chambers should always forward their opinions to the executive at Wellington, where they were carefully examined and co-ordin-ated. Tho view of the majority of chamber members then became the resolution of the executive and was passed on to the Government as the considered opinion of the associated chambers. Apart from rendering general service to constitutent members, it was their duty not only to seek relief from oppressive Acts and Government regulations, but to intercept intended legislation which was likely to be injurious to business interests. During the evening items were contributed by Messrs A. McKegg, R. Luke and Robertson, with Mr F. Mo Lachlan at the piano.