DEPUTATIONS TO MR. CADMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8880, 17 May 1892, Page 5

DEPUTATIONS TO MR. CADMAN.

THE PRINTING TRADE. Yesterday Mr. James Regan, president of the Auckland Typographical Association, interviewed the Hon. A. J. Cadman in, regard to certain questions affecting the printing trade. Mr. Regan pointed out that from 500 to (MO people were employed at printing in Auckland, and that, notwithstanding that this branch of industry was so important, apprentices who completed their terms of indenture had to leave the country and their families, of whom in many cases they were the chief support, in order to find employment elsewhere. What the Association complained of, in the first instance, was that printing work was continually imported to the o>'der of tradesmen, when it might be done here ; since inting of all descriptions could be done in Auckland, where there were both the skilled labour and the necessary appliances, including the most modern machinery. This custom of large mercantile houses, drapers, chemists, and so on, in sending out of the country for printing work was entremely injurious to the trade here, while the difference in the prices of local and imported work was very trifling. Mr. Regan also drew the Minister's attention to the fact that theatrical and circus companies visiting New Zealand brought their printed bills and posters with them, a practice whicii was unfair to local workmen, especially as large sums of money were taken out of the country by those companies. Mr. Cadman said that it appeared to him that the Association had substantial grounds of complaint, and that it was a grievance that so much work should be sent out of the country, to the injury of labour here. He asked that the facts should be set out in writing, promising that he would then bring them before the Government, and that they would be considered. Mr. Regan suggested that printing work issued by the Government for the Auckland district should be done in Auckland. 'file Minister replied that that course had been followed until it was found that the local prices were too high, and the work had accordingly to be done athe Government Printing Office, If the printing was done here at reasonable rates, it would remain here; but the country could not be expected to give prices which were too high. Mr. Rkgan asked chat employment should be given at the Government Printing Office, Wellington, during the session, to "casual hands. Under present conditions, the printers there have to work three, four, or live hours' overtime every night while Parliament meets; and lie suggested that an opportunity should be given to those out of work co earn a little money. Mr. Cadman* said he was just about to take control of the office; and in the new arrangements which were to be made this matter would have his attention.

THE JUBILEE INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND. The chairman of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board (Mr. C. Atkin), and Mr. 11. N. Garland, secretary, interviewed Mr. Cudmaii on the subject of the proposed incorporation of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind. Mr. Atkin said that the Board did not object to the incorporation of the institute if they were not afterwards called upon for assistance. No guarantee to that effect, however, would he given. It was a colonial institute, and one that the Government would have had to provide ere Ions;; and it was not fair that the liability should be merely local. Some of those connected with the institute had said that the Board were showing uncharitable opposition. He was quite sure that no member of the Board had any feeling of that kind ; but what they felt was that they should not be called on to support a colonial institution from local funds. Mr, Garland remarket! that the Board had not made any objection to the incorporation of the Auckland Benevolent Society, who had given the guarantee asked for. Mr. Cadmak admitted that the argument of the Board that as the institute was a colonial one it should not be supported from local funds was reasonable. Something would have to be done in the approaching session of Parliament in regard to hospital and charitable aid matters. Whatever was proposed there was sure to be trouble, in consequence of the strong feeling between town and country, and probably some compromise would have to be made. No matter what measure was proposed it was certain to be torn to pieces ; and would, without doubt, be so altered that it would not carry out the views of its framer.