IRONMASTERS CONFER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19889, 7 March 1928, Page 13

IRONMASTERS CONFER.

AN UNSATISFACTORY YEAR.

EFFECTS OF COMPETITION. APPRENTICESHIP PROBLEM. The annua! conference of the New Zealand Federated Ironmaster Industrial Association of Employers opened at the office of the Auckland Employers' Association yesterday. Delegates from all parts of the Dominion were present,' Mr.' H. M. Warner presiding. Declaring the conference open, the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, said the delegates represented one of the most important industries in the Dominion. No matter where cne went, the results of their industry were to be seen. The world owed much to the engineering trade for the great strides made in civilisation. Mr. Albert Spencer, president, of the Auckland Employers' Association, also welcomed delegates. He said much more could be done to place the industry on a better footing in the Dominion. He referred to the large sums that were sent out of the country, and which were spent, to employ labour in other countries. Competition from Abroad.

"It is unfortunate we have to deal with so much outside competition," said Mr. J. B. Shacklock, of Dunedin, in replying to the welcome on behalf of the visitors. He added that if manufacturers were given more encouragement, a large number of unemployed could be absorbed

In moving the adoption of the report, which was published in yesterday's Herald, Mr. Warner said the trade in engineering had not been satisfactory during the past year. Many lines which could and should be manufactured in the Dominion, were being imported at prices against which it was impossible for them to compete, However, the good prices now being received for butter and wool gave promise of improved trade.

"In Auckland no difficulty has been found in administering the Apprenticeship Act by the apprenticeship committee in this industry," said Mr. Warner. "It is true that the operations of the committee have been confined to patching up differences between apprentices and their employers, but undoubtedly good work has been accomplished in this direction. Should any question of principle be involved in any matter brought before the committee on which employers' and the union's ideas would be divided it is quite possible that a deadlock would occur, but so far nothing of the sort has arisen." The Election of OScers. No great benefit had been felt so far from the amendment made to the Act last session, abolishing the district quota of apprentices as from February. This might be put down to the general slackness in trade, but when business revived, the ability of each employer to take his full individual quota of apprentices would be a distinct advantage. The following officers were elected:— President, Mr, G. M. Hall, Christchurch; vice-president, Mr. A. C. Mitchell, Wellington ; executive, Messrs. J. B. Shacklock, J. A. Brown and G. Gray, Dunedin; Messrs. A. C. Mitchell and J. Cable, Wellington; Messrs. G. M. Hall and F. 0. Andrews, Christchurch; and Messrs. G. Fraser, A. Burt and H. M. Warner, Auckland. It was decided to hold the next conference in Christchurch..

This morning delegates will meet representatives of the Workers' Federation in friendly conference. Commenting on this, Mr. Warner said much good might result from such a meeting, and perhaps many misunderstandings would be cleared up by talking over trade problems and difficulties. This was what they hoped for, and on their side they would do their best to make the conference a success.

CONFERENCE OP UNIONISTS. WIDE RANGE OF BUSINESS. Business of an internal nature occupied the attention of the conference of the Amalgamated Engineers' Union of New Zealand yesterday. The delegates have a lengthy agenda to deal with, and the conference is expected to continue until tomorrow. The delegates will meet representatives of the Ironmasters' Federation this morning, when matters of mutual interest will be discussed.