DUNEDIN MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21257, 11 February 1931, Page 8

DUNEDIN MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The first monthly meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association was held in the board room, Carlton Chambers. last evening, Mr W. G. Kindley (president) in the chair. HAWKE’S BAY DISASTER. The president, speaking with regard to the earthquake disaster, said the day of mourning had now passed and the day of giving had come. He trusted the giving would be free and spontaneous from firms and from private individuals. They all knew the terrible sufferings of the people, many of- whom had also lost the savings of a lifetime. He trusted that every member would assist in some financial way. “Of course, the Government will have to step in and help, but we ought to do our part,” said the president. “I trust that members will think seriously of giving as largely as possible towards this deserving object.” The president also referred to the heavy loss, running into many thousands of pounds, suffered by Ross and Glendining in the disaster. It was agreed to vote £25 to the Earthquake Fund. AUSTRALIAN EXCHANGE RATES. The secretary (Mr G. W. Reid) reported that numerous inquiries had been received from members respecting the Australian exchange rates. The secretary of the Manufacturers’ Federation had forwarded to the Prime Minister a resolution setting out that New Zealand manufacturers were greatly perturbed owing to the alteration in the rates of exchange with Australia. In a discussion which followed it was stated that there was a danger of Australian canned fruits and other goods being dumped in New Zealand, as the exchange rates favoured the Australian manufacturer.

It was agreed to join the Manufacturers’ Federation in a protest to the Government against the unfair importation of Australian manufactured goods. RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

The organiser (Mr J. Taylor) wrote stating that it was at first thought that the classification of locally manufactured goods had remained undisturbed, but it was later found that several manufacturers were vitally affected. The general principle of the amendments had been to leave the classification of the New Zealand manufactured goods at their old rates, but numerous items mentioned in the amendment had previously no preferential treatment over imported goods of a like nature, and the same rate now applied to both local and imported as heretofore.

The question of making representations to the Railways Department was left in the hands of the organiser, Mr E. Sliced, and Mr J. G. Jeffery, and it was further decided to get into touch with the Manufacturers’ Federation on the matter. 1 NEW MEMBERS. Eight new members were elected. PRICE-CUTTING.

Mr W. H. Shepherd called attention to the fact that numerous lines of goods were being “ cut ” by storekeepers, merely as an advertising dodge to get people into their shops. A number of chains of stores were carrying on this practice. They advertised certain lines at a low price, and often times when the public went into a shop to ask for it they were told it was not in stock. The cutting of these lines was distinctly unfortunate to the manufacturers of the lines that were being cut. He moved: “That representations be made to the Government that the existing legislation which prevents manufacturers and packers from fixing minimum retail prices for their lines be rescinded as a number of stores throughout the Dominion make a practice of selling a number of popular proprietary lines at about cost prices, not with the view of serving the public, but for advertising purposes only.” A member remarked that in America a manufacturer had a right to fix a fair minimum price. NEW ZEALAND-MADE GOODS. The president called attention to a letter to the press from the Otago and Southland Amalgamated Society of Shop Assistants, in which objection was expressed to a local firm using and circulat’ing imported invitation cards. The explanation of the firm in question was that its policy was to use New Zealandmade goods, and if the locally-made article was shown to be equal to the imported, and the value was there, it would buy the New Zealand goods every time. Some discussion took place about the slogan “ Buy New Zealand-made Goods.” It was said it was not business to keep slavishly to the idea, and a member remarked: “Let us import what we cannot produce, and use what we cap produce.” GENERAL. It was decided to leave in the hands .of the Chamber of Commerce the question of calendar reform. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union (Southland district) wrote supporting the suggestion of one of its members that wool be more widely used in the manufacture of chairs, bedding, pillows, etc. This would materially help the woolgrower who found difficulty in selling the lower-grade wool. —It was decided to send a copy of the letter to firms interested.