LOCAL MANUFACTURES AND PRODUCTIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2715, 28 March 1906, Page 8

LOCAL MANUFACTURES AND PRODUCTIONS.

BEST METHODS OF ENCOURAGEMENT.

SUGGESTED ALTERATIONS IN THB TABEPP.

CHBISTOHURCH, March 23. The report of the joint committee of tha Canterbury Industrial Association and! Trades and Labour Council appointed t^ consider the question of the promotion and! encouragement of local manufactures and! productions was adopted by the Industrial Association at the quarterly meeting tonight. It had been previotely adopted by the Trades and Labour Council.

The committee interviewed a large number of manufacturers, retailers, and workers, dealing with all the principal industries, v and unanimously came to th« following conclusions : — r 1. That our local industries and productions in some instances are not keeping pace with the general increase of trade in; the colony, amd that is caused by greater importations and cutting of prices by importers, and that the cheap labour in foreign! countries in many branches enables tv« importer to undersell the local manufacturer.

2. That the tariff should be attended x* the various directions summarised in th\ evideinoe by taking off all duties on raw materials used by our manufacturers, which said raw material is not, or is not likely, to be, produced in this colony, and by. an increase of duty in certain to meet the dumping of the surplus manufactures from other countries.

5. That the attention of the Government should be drawn to the necessity of com-" pulsory branding of all New Zealand-made goods " Made in New Zealand."

4. That the workers, on the whole, are loyal to the cause of local industry; but this cannot be said of all classes of the community.

5. That a card should be printed in an attractive form setting forth the desirability of encouraging local manufactures and productions from a. patriotic point of view, such card, with the consent of the Education Boards, to be placed in every sohool of the colony in the hope that' it will educate the rising generation to take an interest in the oau6e of local industry. The cards might also be utilised for circu* lation in other directions.

6. That the aid of all trades and labour councils, unions, inthistrial associations, and; public bodies should be elicited by circular or otherwise to further the advancement of local industries and production?. 7. That this commitree strongly urges that the Government and all bodies dealing: with public expenditure should be requested! to give preferenoe wherever possible to the manufactures and productions of the colony. r

The committee also makes suggestions for the effectual carrying out the work outlined in the report, the most important being _as follows: — (1) That the urgent necessity of amending the tariff as early 2s possible next session in the direction indicated in the rep~*t should be impressed! upon the Premier by the deputation. (2) That the Premier be approached with a request that the printing and distribution of the report should be undertaken by tho Government. (3) That the question of the formation of an industrial league should be considered, such league, if formed, to be open to anyone over the age of 16 years, and every member ehoxild pledge himself or herself at all times to give preference whenever possible to our own manufactures and productions. _ (4) That the joint committee should remain a standing committee, the chairman being empowered to call a meeting at anyt ime to discuss matters mutually affecting the interests of employer and employee.