INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5777, 22 January 1897, Page 4

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

* A meeting of the committee of the Industrial Association was held last night ; present — Messrs J. R. Triggs (in the chair), H. B. Kirk, T. N. Horsley, W. W. Charters, F. A. Webster, R. Buchanan, J. A. Frostick iand A. G. Howland. Apologies for absence were read from Messrs W. Congreve, R. C. Bishop, J. Waller and R. W. England. Messrs T. West, sen., and P. G-. Kelly were elected members of the Association. Messrs Triggs, Charters, Frostick and the Secretary were appointed a subcommittee to draw up a report to be submitted to the forthcoming general meeting. Mr Brown, the president of the Wellington Industrial Association, then entered the room, and was introduced to members, .fthe Chairman said he hoped tliat the Cti^tcpnrrch and Wellington Associations would ' Work together, and that similar . A-Sociatioiis w'oida pp jj^xrmed in Auckland .and Dunddin. ftiie /Cafl&ejrbury Industrial Association had' clonp gfffjd. ig J^cal manufactures, and its efforts p#<| ,^j4§ft jn providing employment 'fcjp Qiyp boyg .and !__"Srown said tliat the Wellington Association was very much indebted to the Canterbury Association for its help and experience. By using the accumulated experience of Canterbury, Wellington was enabled to start where Canterbury had left off. He favoured the affiliation of all New Zealand Industrial Associations. As a result of the combination of _ the Canterbury and Wellington Associations, a vexatious duty hitherto charged on maohinery had been abolished. The great aim and objeot of these Associations was to provide profitable labour for tfie young •who were growing up amongst „§. He _avott_ed the small local fexlubitions, because they showed 'people what we could really produce, and thus encouraged our ■■ manufactures. The products of , say, the Kaiapoi Woollen Faotory would be a credit to any country in the world, The. financial result of the Wellington __2lnbibition would be to leave a bW&llce on the right side of the ledger. He hoped this movement would spread to other cities, and would eventually form a powerful confederation. He did not think that these | associations should go to the Government for assistance xmtil they themselves had collected enough money to show that they really meant business. Mr A. G. Howland agreed with the remarks of Mr Brown as regarded the federation of associations, for he thought there was more work for these bodies to do in the future than they had done in the past. Mr J. A. Frostick pointed out the immense influence thai, a federated Industrial Association would be able to .wield. The affiliation of Wellington and Christchurch would raise a spirit of emulation, and Auckland and Dunedin would probably come in. The meetings of the central body could be held in the various large centres of the colony in turn. Mr Buchanan thoroughly believed in the combination scheme, which could be easily arranged. The work done by the Canterbury Association in the past had been invaluable. Mr H. B. Kirk thought the successful issues of the Canterbury and Wellington Exhibitions would lead to similar ventures not only in Dunedin aud Auckland, but in other smaller New Zealand towns. He favoured a Federal Industrial Council, to be formed of delegates from the various associations. By united action they could accomplish things which it would be impossible for isolated action to achieve. The two exhibitions referred to had cost the Government ,£IOOO, and the Government must have been gratified to see that the industrial associations reaped a profit larger than the amount contributed. They were all glad to see Mr Brown (the first active president of the Wellington Association) present among them that evening. The Chairman expressed his pleasure at the remarks made by members, and hoped to see the federation of all industrial associations in New Zealand an accomplished fact during the present year. On the motion of Mr J. A. Frostick, seconded by Mr H. B. Kirk, Messrs Triggs, Charters, Frostick, Howland, Kirk, Horsley and the Secretary were appointed •a committee to draft proposals for the federation of the various industrial associations. • ;..■ The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to Mr Brown for his attendance.