MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 228, 27 September 1935, Page 7

MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION

Palmerston Branch Formed

PROPOSED LEGISLATION' ' APPROVED

At a representative meeting of Palmerston North manufacturers held last evening it was decided to form a local branch of the Manufacturers’ Association and Mr. W. G. Black was appointed chairman.

The meeting, which was convened by tho Wellington Manufacturers’ Association, was addressed by several members of tho Wellington Association who journeyed to Palmerston North in an endeavour to interest locai manufacturers in the advisability of linking up with the Wellington executive.

Mr. W. McClay, president of the Wellington Manufacurers’ Association, explained that tho organisation consisted of a New Zealand Manufacturers Fedcration supported by four district associations—Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch. and Dunediu. He stated it wai in the interests of all those present tc cousider linking up with the Wellington executive and thus keep in touch with what was being done m tho interests of manufacturing throughout tho Dominion.

At the present time a draft Bill was before the House and this measure contained not only added protection to secondary industries as a whole but also aimed •at encouraging and assisting manufacturers to increase the efficiency of thoir industries. Unity was required.

On the motion of Mr. Alexander Clark, seconded by Mr. W. G. Black, it was decided that a. local association be formed, and Mr. W. G. Black was appointed as chairman. Mr. Black expressed appreciation of tlio visit and the kindly thought which had prompted the Wellington Association in interesting itself in matters affecting tiic Palmerston North district. Certainly these matters were o.t common interest and he was pleased with the work which had been done to date.

Mr. A. W. Nisbet, secretary of the Wellington Manufacturers’ - Association, said the association provided an organisation within which manufacturers were- banded together for their mutual protection and enabled them ou important occasions to speak with a common voice on matters affecting the stability or security of their respective undertakings and on industry in general. Continuing, Mr. Nisbe: said that the work of tho association fell into two main sub-divisions—the work of the general committee and the various subcommittees and the routine work carried on by the association’s office.

An endeavour was being made to get each industry represented on the general executive and with the formation of local sub-committees in Palmerston North, Napier, Wanganui and New Plymouth to give the chairman of each of these district sub-committees a seat on the executive.

Mr. Nisbet said the greatest handicap to the efficient carrying on of the association’s work at present was Hack of funds. For tho year 1933-34 the association showed a loss of nearly £2OO, •while for the financial year just cloed income and expenditure just about balanced.

The following is an outline of matters of importance dealt with by the. association duriug tho past 12 months: Railway workshop unfair competition, reciprocal trade agreements, building subsidies, inspection of machinery, Commercial Trusts Act amendment.

Mr. Nisbet stated that duriug the course of a year they received innumerable inquiries mainly as to whore goods and materials could be obtaiued and that in this direction they did not get the co-operation of manufacturers regarding brands, etc., of goods. In conclusion, Mr. Nisbet said that members were kept posted as to the activities of the association by the issuing of a bulletin periodically. Mr. Nisbet mentioned tnat it had been recently decided to instigate inquiries concerning the formation of a mutual insurance scheme and the tariff companies had been approached when a proposition was put up asking for special rates and this had been turned down. However, he was pleased to be able to say that insurance cover with suitable adjustment could be arranged through another company, of Auckland, and if any member got in touch with him he would bo only too pleased. Mr. Matheson, iu giving an outline of what the federation had done, said it was duo to tho federation’s activity that it had been made possible for Mr. Reid to be present with the New Zealand delegation at the Ottawa Conference and undoubtedly only for his presence tho result of tho various decisions arrived at would have been more severe. The federation, he said, had been closely allied with the tariff inquiry arising cut of tho Ottawa Conference and also with adjustments to the Australian reciprocal trade agreement. Tho federation had also been successful in inducing tho Government to use goods of New Zealand manufacture in the construction of the Wellington railway station. Air. Matheson mentioned that a lot of' trouble had been taken in inducing influential men to visit factories, etc., and sec for themselves the efficient manner in which manufacturing was being carried out. Quite often he had heard members ot Parliament say, in a, tour of inspection, that they never knew' such things were being manufactured in the Dominion. Co-ordination Scheme.

Mr. Matheson said that a Bill had been drafted as a result of the Tariff Commission aud that Cabinet had already had a preliminary discussion on the measure. One of its main features was that it aimed at obtaining and retaining protection of the New Zealand secondary industries by the setting up of a commission the functions of which would be to study continuously the condition, needs and potential development of manufacturing industries, and to mako recommendations thereon, where ne.eessary, .to ‘ the industries and

to the Government; to inform aud advise the Government on all questions affecting manufacturing industries; to encourage aud assist manufacturers to increase the efficiency of their industries; to encourage aud assist iu the establishment and development of new industries which, after investigation, appear to have reasonable opportunities of becoming sound and successful; to provide facilities and assistance to manufacturers to enable them to consider the adoption of co-ordination and other arrangements which, iu the judgment of the commission,-will have the effect of preserving or increasing the efficiency or oconomy of the industries concerned while, at the same time, fully safeguarding the interests of consumers and the public interest generally; to consider any co-ordination or other arxaugement which has been agreed upon by manufacturers whose anuual production represents at least two-thirds of the total annual production iu any particular mauufacturing industry; and, il : satisfied that such an arrangement will tend to preserve or increaes the efficiency or economy of the industry, while fully safeguarding the interests of consumers and the public interest general iy, to approve and confirm suen arrangement.

Mr. Black complimented the association on the draft legislation as submitted to the House. By setting up definite standards quality would naturally be increased and this secured by legislative authority would secure the ultimate support of the public. He stated that when several small manufacturers workitlg in their own backyards sold an article for less than what it cost to produce the rest of that particular trade had to suffer.

The following resolution was then put to Ihe meeting and carried unanimously:—

“That the proposed Manufacturers Industries Bill, 1935, has the unanimous endorsement of our meeting and further, that the above resolution be conveyed by telegram to the member for the district and the Minister of Industries and Commeice. ’'