ENGINEERING TRADE

Southland Times, Issue 14579, 21 November 1910, Page 2

ENGINEERING TRADE

A IWJJXTSTBY. (Per United Press Association). ' WELLINGTON-, Nov. 18, Messrs J. B. Laurenson and Fraser epresenting tlie ironmasters), A. Jones (Christchurch moulders), F. Fail (DuneJin ■ boilermakers), and W. G. D. Evans (General Secretary of the Amalgamated ■Society of Engineers) waited on the Act-ing-Minister of Customs (the Hon. T. Mackenzie) last night asking for tariff protection for the Iron industry. They said that during the time in which 1,500,000 acres of land had gone into cultivation, only three additional workmen were engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements. New Zealand had imported £1,500,000 worth of .machinery in five years, half of which could have been made in the Dominion, hud a 33 per cent, duty prevailed, ami employment could have been given to 1600 more trained workmen than could now he engaged. In the list of machinery proposed to be protected, reapers and binders did not appear, because It was realised that it was impossible to produce them at £lO each as was done in America. The workers’ representatives said that they were satisfied that it was not Intended to increase the cost of products to the consumer, nor were they trying to increase their wages. Some of the best Otago workers had scarcely worked six months in the year. The Minister, in reply, said that a departure In policy was being urged. Min-

ing arid agricultural machinery had for years been imported free of duty, and it would be necessary to prove to the farmer that in the long run he would benefit from the protection of the iron industry. Certain industries natural to a country could he with advantage developed under protection as our woollen manufacturers had demonstrated. He was not in a position to speak with equal confidence as to the success of the bootmaking industry under protection. He did. not think that bad-trade would continue even in the iron industry. A careful view of competing countries justified him in saying that two such dull years as had just been experienced would not be repeated for a .ong time. He would lay the deputation’s request before the Government, and during the recess would endeavour through the Industries and Commerce Department, to get as much information as possible on the subject. If he could assist in the development of an important industry, he would be glad to do so.