DUNEDIN MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3313, 12 September 1917, Page 36

DUNEDIN MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION.

A special meeting of members of the above association, held on the 10th, was presided over by Mr W. Stevenson (president), and was attended by about 30 representatives of the principal manufacturing industries in Duncdin.

The Chairman explained to the meeting that the House of Representatives had set up a select commit tee to inquire into and report upon matters tending to benefit and encourage the industries of the dominion, and was desirous of having any evidence placed before it likely to assist in its deliberations. At a meeting of 'members of the Duncdin Manufacturers' Association it was resolved that industrial problems requiring attention at this critical time in our history were so varied and so great as to make it desirable to utilise all opportunities, such as that now afforded, of bringing the interests of manufacturers before the Government. It was hoped that at the present meeting a discussion among loading representatives of the various industries would provide good material from which to draw up evidence to lay before select committee of the House. The Secretary, at the Chairman's request, read extracts from the minutes of previous meeting showing the nature of the action already taken in the formation of the association.

The Chairman then outlined subjects that called for consideration by the association, selecting three as covering matters of present importance. The question of supplies of steam coal was a prime factor in many manufacturing concerns. The price of that commodity had been steadily advancing, and on consulting records at his factory ho found that the price of lignite had advanced about 50 per cent, during the past four years. The supplies were apparently barely sufficient to meet the demands of manufacturers, and no doubt the recent appointment by the Government of a body to handle the distribution of coal was a step in the right direction. In his judgment the principal fault affecting manufacturers was the very inferior quality supplied by some collieries. Some system of Governmental inspection of the coal produced, with regard to its quality, was urgently required. There were now opportunities offering to tho manufacturer which had not occurred over a quarter of a century, and which would be even greater alter the war. Following the declaration of peace, it was probable that Great Britain would have her hands so full that she would be unable to meet the requirements of her overseas dominions in the way of manufactured articles at anything approaching pre-war prices. Wages would not go down to their old level, the cost of production would remain high, and probably oversea freights would also keep up for some time. This in itself would continue to give the colonial manufacturer better opportunities, while, in addition, there was the prime supposition that tho Empire would embark upon the policy of dispensing with the goods of our enemies. In view of all this, a strong policy of promoting and fostering manufactures within the dominion was an urgent inecessity. With their climate and resources .there, were few wants that could not be supplied by local manufacture, provided the necessary "nursing" were forthcoming at- the outset. They must,: then, advocate a policy for the protection of native industries and the encouragement of new industries, either by tariffs or by bonuses. Further, wherever possible, duties should bo imposed which would galvanise new life into existing manufacturers and enable them to pay the higher scale of. wages which seemed inevitable in this dominion, and still compete favourably with the imported article. The shortage of labour was a burning question even before the war, and became accentuated with every month that the war was continued. With the prospect of the struggle continuing some time yet, it seemed inevitable that many industries would have to close their doors unless something- was dßne at once to organise the labour still available. Mr Stevenson said that personal experience had convinced him that in Dunedin numbers of men above military age or otherwise unfit for service were out of employment, and surely such a thing should be impossible at a time like this. Again, after the war there would be tho problem of finding employment for our soldiers. Land would not bo available for them all, nor would all of them desire or be fitted to work on the land. Nevertheless, a living wage must be found for them, and if they - were, to be employed in industries some means must be devised whereby manufacturers would bo assured of steady markets to absorb tho increased output and of a reasonable rato of profit on that output. In conclusion, he said that it appeared to him that their prosperity and salvation must lie in the policy of embracing and developing their natural resources, tho closer settlement of our lands, and tho building up of manufacturing industries to supply the want of the "increased population which would be tho outcome of all these factors combined. The Chairman invited suggestions from trade representatives present. Mr A. Smellio (Otago Rolling Mills) pointed out that it had been proposed to grant a subsidy to a Christchurch firm to encourage the manufacture of steel from steel scraps; but as a matter of fact his company had been engaged in that production for over two years. It also contemplated the putting- down of an electric furnace so as to be able to compete wi+h Christchurch firms, but tho city electric department had told them the power required could be supplied only at night. Such a fact ought to induce Dunedin manufacturers to " buck up." Mr W. B. M. Fea (Gregg and Co.) I bought the chairman was too pessimistio in tli'e views he had expressed, for their agricultural, mineral, pastoral, and climatic conditions were the best on the face of God's earth. —(Laughter.) So far as trade was concerned he thought they had not had better times than those experienced .during the last three years. Ho thought tho association should endeavour to secure better conditions in the coastal trade, and to put a stop to the pilfering that went on in transit. Mr Wild (Union Felt Hat Company) said that, for the trade he represented New Zealand had the best raw material in the world, but they needed protection. Mr Clark, representing the same company, urged the imposition of a tariff on felt hats similar to that granted to Australian manufactures (37£ per cent) Mr D. E. Theomm (Hallcnstein and Farqiihar) said he was in entiro sympathy with the chairman's remarks, and pointed out that Dunedin had always been the manufacturing metropolis of New Zealand. The remedies required to promote their'manufactures were largely in improving the ship-

ping trade and the prevention of pilfering of cargo, which was difficult to detect. A bale of leather would come to hand with the best part cut out, but it was difficult to know who cut it. The cost of packing and other charges were commonly more than tiio freight. If they were united and brought their brains to work their present difficulties would be got over. Mr T. Christie (J. and T. Christie) hoped there would be no lack of unanimity, and that, amongst other things, they would bo ablo to induce the City Council to give manufacturers the full power from Waipori. Mr W. M'Kinlay (boot manufacturers) asked whether the association would clash with the Employers' Association? Mr T. Sonvrville (J. Wilkie and Co.) pointed out that at a recent meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and the Employers Association it was recognised that tho for mation of the Manufacturers' Association would do a great amount of good. - Mr Theomm further explained that the Employers' Association was for the sole purpose of dealing with questions arising between employers and employees. Mr A. E. Usher wood (soap and oil manufacturers) pointed out the necessity of bringing all vessels up to Duncdin, for if goods were landed at Port Chalmers con.signees had to pay an extra 4s 6d per ton to bring them to Dunedin. Mr R. S. Black (fur snoods manufacturer) pointed out the good work dono by the City Council, but regretted that when men were elected to that body a great deal was done to belittle them. The best way to help forward their manufacturers was to see that sufficient depth of water was provided to enable vessels to get into port. Thoy must also see that their manufactures would compare with imported goods. He pointed out that electric power was cheaper in Dunedin than in any part of the Empire, but it was the cost of wages that made the cost of local Roods run up. Mr E. H. Sincock (Donaghy's Rope and Twine Company) emphasised the necessity for making the association one strong body, and then they would be ablo to do good work for the manufacturers. Mr Ewen Cameron (Mosgiel Woollen Company) remarked that it was very gratifying to see so large a gathering of manufacturers, but ho pointed out that good results could only be maintained by keeping up each member's interest in the associaMr M'Donald Stevenson (Stevenson and Cook, Limited) said the most important matter for tho association to deal with was the tariff question for tho encouragement of their industries. It was by such protection that America and Germany had become such large? manufacturing countries. They must adopt a broad policy, by the aid of 'which Victoria had become the workshop of Australasia. Mr C. A. Wilson (Malt Extract Company) said that the starting of his business was a heartbreaking undertaking. They not onlv received no assistance from the Government, but, rather antipathy was shown them. The authorities invited tenders for malt extract, yet refused his company's tender, and accepted one from a Wellington chemist, who bought tho extract from bis company and resold it to tho Government at, of course, a much greater price than tho Dunecin company tendered at. , . Mr J. H. ITinton (Hinton's, Limited) said the association should see that machinery to be used in' manufactures was admitted duty free, and that waste products were utilised. His company had saved its waste fcteel scraps to send to Germany, but as the war broke out it had gone to help to fill up the foreshore They should also try to induce Otago people* to purchase Otisro products. Besides the speakers at tho meeting, there were present representatives of confectionery, tinware, biseuitmakers, motor vehicles, chemists, tiles, iron workers, furnituTemakers, importers, and preserving companies