MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20281, 14 December 1927, Page 10

MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the executive of the Dunedin Manufacturers Association was held last night. Mr T. Somerville (president) occupied the chair, and there were 12 members present. MANUFACTURERS’ FEDERATION. Reports on the recent meeting of the New Zealand Manufacturers Federation were presented by Mr Mr J. Sutherland Ross, and Mr G. W. Reid, who represented the local association The reports were received with satisfaction, and the delegates were thanked for their services. KEORGANISA TION. The question of the reorganisation of the federation was discussed, ihe Secretary reported that at the recent conference it had been decided to ask the tour associations to consider the matter. Ihe Wellington Association had dealt with it, and had passed a motion affirming the principle of bringing into being a national organisation with a highly qualified manacer on the lines suggested at the Auckland conference and supporting the scheme financially and in every other direction. The President expressed the opinion tv, at the association should not hasten in coming to a conclusion in regard to this question. He thought a decision might be deferred until the beginning of next year. He was certain that there was a necessity for something being done, but he thought it might be difficult to raise the money required unless the association could supplement its funds. , Mr Ross moved —“ That the association affirms the principle of bringing into being a national organisation working continuously iT the interests of the secondary manufacturing interests and that the question of financial support be referred to a special committee to repor. back to the executive.” He said he thought they all agreed on the principle of haling an organisation of such a nature. The motion was seconded by Mr W ilson, who suggested the possibility of the association holding a display of its onn. The motion was earned. DELEGATION. TOJOUTH SEA Correspondence was received in connection with a proposed delegation of busi ness men to Samoa and Niue. It was proposed that the boat would leave New Zealand about the end of March. Ihe tour would occupy about 23 d a y s . and cost would be £3O per head for the round trip The vessel would leave Auckland, and would return to Wellington or Lyttelton The suggestion was that the nelega tion should comprise about 20 members l\°o from each of the Chambers of Commerce in the centres and two from each of the manufacturers’ associations, while the remainder would be representatives of the fruit trade. It was now proposed to extend the trip was to ! me the delegates more time in the I l s ' ant r’'r p t nosal had aroused a good deal of interest, and there would probably be some competition for the available berths on too V l S lommittee consisting of the presidout. Messrs Ross, Cuddie, and Hogg • * P pointed to go into the question. INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH. Air Ross (president of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Association) wrote stating that he had received a letter from Dr Maisden (secretary of the Departc if‘ipirtific and Industrial ReMarch), who had informed him that the Prime Minister and the chairman of the Research Council had authorised him to discuss the general question of r ® se ?- rc ' assoc ations associated with New Zealand manufactures. Dr Marsden had invitcd assistance and co-operation. Mr Ross stated that he had expressed his willingness to give any assistance in his power, aid he asked that the matters of research associations be brought before members He was aware that various firms and companies had their own aboratones for rps-arch and preferred that the results of V'"ir investigations should accrue to tlie-ii Mv'-s alone, but. there were many concerned with what he might lie,, rbf s general principles, as opposed j._ t , secrets, where the spread of information among the members of a given trade would be beneficial to all. Air Ross said there was no doubt that this was a very wide subject, lie telt verv strongly that a lot of the manufacturers did not know what their problems were. The woollen mill owners were taking the matter up keenly, and he put it seriously to one and all toi ascci -am whether it was not worth while to support industrial research. There was no doubt that great benefits would accrue it the subject were taken up seriously. Research had shown that there was a great future in regard to waste coal in New Zealand, and he thought that the same remarks would apply to waste material in other industries. Mr Johnson said that too department was at present investigating the individual difficulties of manufacturers. If any representations were made to him he' would be pleased to forward thorn on to the department. The Secretary (Mr Reid) said that what Dr Marsden wanted was that the industries should get busy and some ot them put up some money, which would enable investigations to bo made. It was suggested that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research should make an officer available to visit any centre to arrange conferences with different industrial groups with a view to the formation of industrial associations. GENERAL. A report to the effect that the white train scheme had been abandoned was received. As this was the last meeting to be held this year, the President wished members the compliments of the season and expressed the hope that next year would be a prosperous one. It was decided to hold the next meeting in February.