MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18995, 17 October 1923, Page 4

MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of tilo executive of the DunPilin Manufacturers' Association was held last night. The president (Mr R. Cuddie) occupied the chair.

I( was decided to again press for the reinstatement, of the Dunedin Office of Imlus>ne,s and Commerce. It was pointed on), that. 11 10 Hon. Dnwnie Stewart, the Alitiisler in charge of the depaitment, Jiad intimated that: lie would interview the president of (lie association on (ho matter miring his recent visit to Dunedin, but that, the matter had evidently boon overlooked.—T he president, and Air Speight, and the secretary wore appointed to wait on the Minister during his next, visit- to Dunedin. IT was also decided to ask Mr I’eler Barr, president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, fo join with tin; deputation when it wailed on the Minister,

Mr J. W. Collins, secretary of the Department of fndustrie.s and ( ,'ommeree. wrote acknowledging receipt of a letter from the association in regard to the dumping of canned fruits and dried apples into New Zealand, in reply. Mr Collins said ,that it was evident the matter was one for the Customs Department to decide. The question ol ('aliloniian trade with New Zealand was at- present under investigation by an experienced Customs officer. It was decided to ask for early informal ion regarding the outcome of the investigations in California.

A letter was received from the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce asking if the association was prepared to assist- in advertising (he dominion at Ihe British Empire Exhibition by mean? of a “post card day.”—lt was pointed out that, the idea was to send postcards from New Zealand to England early next year asking Homo friends to visit the Now Zealand court. The post-cards could have views of New Zealand.—lt was decided to reply approving of ihe idea and agreeing to co-operate, with Ihe chamber when further details were available.

'( he question whether the Dunedin Association should cancel its affiliation with (he Industrial Corporation of New /calami was dealt with in committee.- it was unanimously agreed that the local association should called its affiliation. TRADE WIT H THE WEST COAST.

Jlr R, Hudson said that ho would likt> lo mention tho position of affairs as regards tr«4o with the West. Coast. It was now seme four or five weeks sjneo the Union Steam Ship Company had put on a boat, from Dunedin to the Coast, and he (bought it was lime .something was done to remedy the present position. His West Coast business was suffering severely because no steamers were going to the Coast, and he know that other local firms were being similarly handicapped. Tile Union Company had kept assuring him for the past few weeks that a .steamer would soon be available, and now ’ it had informed him that one would bo loading for the ('oast at the end of tho week, but still there was nothing definite. lie thought that it; was really disgraceful treatment. Christchurch now had its tunnel, and so far as Otago was concerned its business with the West Coast was ‘‘going to pot.” , His firm had orders waiting to be filled for , the past four weeks, and now they were getting letters from the Coast cancelling them., because there were no steamers available. They wore really in the hands of (he Union Steam Ship Company. The Chairman said that many of (hem wore in the same position as Messrs Hudson and Co. It would mean that in the course of time the whole of their business would go to Christchurch. Mr T. Somerville said that it was a most regrettable position, more especially as the West Coast people Had a very kindly fooling for Dunedin, and preferred to trade with Dunedin. Mr Hudson remarked in answer to a question that it would be too. expensive to rail their goods right through to the Coast. Mr C. Speight thought that they should send a deputation lo wait on Mr Sleigh, manager of the local branch of the Union Company. They should also communicate with the head office in Wellington. Mr Hudson stated that if no satisfaction could he obtained from the company, then the manufacturers in Dunedin would know whore they were, and they could make thenown arrangements. They might be faced with the position, however, that as soon as they put on a boat of their own tho Union 'Company would put one of its boats alongside her to compote for the trade. Mr W. E. C. Reid said that: they might arrange for the Progress to make one or two trips. , „ . _ Mr Hudson said that if the Union Company was not going to cuter for the West Coast trade now the tunnel from Christchurch was opened, they should he told so, and they would then know where they were and could take steps to meet tne position. The West Coast trade was valuable, and. it was going to be bigger, and they were g'oing to lose the whole lot. It was a serious matter for the Dunedin 'manufacturers and merchants. The company was not assisting them in any way whatever. U was decided to appoint a deputation consisting of the chairman and Messrs Speight, Hudson, and E. W. Mitchell to wait on Mr Sleigh to voice the disabilities which the manufacturers and merchants here were working under, and also to communicate with other manufacturers and merchants and ask (hem to form part of tho deputation,