CORONATION MEDALS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10104, 16 March 1911, Page 2

CORONATION MEDALS.

MADE OUTSIDE NEW ZEALAND. PROTESTS IN CHRISTCHURCH. A deputation consisting of Messrs G. R. Whiting, A. Paterson and ¥. Meyer, representing the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, waited on the Hon G. Fowlds, Minister of Education, this morning, and protested against the Government's action in having the medals that will be distributed to school children in commemoration of the coronation mado outside of New Zealand. Two local engravers, Messrs 0. A. Moller and G. T. White, were present. The deputation was introduced by Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P., and Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., and Mr T. H. Davey, M.P., also attended. Mr Taylor said that he had already asked the Minister whether the medals could have been manufactured locally. Some of the local manufacturers felt that the work could have been done just as well here and at a lower price' than would be paid for the imported article. He thought that utless the cost of the local production was much higher than that of the imported article, the medals should have been made in this country. The dominion's own population should be kept employed, if possible. Ho was puzzled to know why the contract should havo have been, given to a firm which wero not manufacturers, but, he understood, drapers in the North Island. Mr Moller said that the craftsmen here were rather hurt at the work being; sent out of the dominion. It wa« a simple work, and could have been done as well here as elsewhere. The firm that made the last medals was not altogether responsible for the public criticism of the work, as the alterations in the design were made without its consent. He did not think that there was a considerable difference between the New Zealand tenders for the present work, and the home prices. There was a loophole which would allow the imported medals to come in duty free, and that also was considered unfair. Local contractors would have made a difference in their prices if they had known that they had a choice between- magnalium and aluminium in regard to material. The conditions stated that the material must be magnalium, but he was convinced that the medals, when they arrived, would be found to be aluminium, a much lighter and cheaper metal. It was a great pity that the Government had decided to send the work out of the dominion. The only difference was the cost of labour, and if the Government insisted upon local manufacturers paying higher wages, it should con. sider them in other directions. Mr Whiting said that the Trade 3 Council strongly protested against medals for children being made by a foreign firm. When a simple work was to be done the Government gave it to an outside firm, which was unjust to both the manufacturers and the workers. Ho agreed with Mr Taylor that even if the medals cost a little more they should have been made here. For all the people here knew, the medals might be made in a foreign country under a sweated condition. The workers did not wish to have the knowledge that medals worn by their children had been made by persons who wero not paid a decent wage, and who were in the hands of capitalists. The workers protested strongly against the Government's action. It was hoped that the Government would reconsider the position. If it could not do that it should see that work, in these circumstances, should not be given to a foreign firm again.

Mr Paterson said that the deputation would like to know the price that would be paid for the medals, which had not been made public. It was stated that a local tender was under Is a dozen medals, and it should be announced what sum would be saved by sending the work outside of New Zealand. Even if there would be a saving of fceveral hundred pounds the work should be done in New Zealand. Was he going to see his children wearing medals that had been made, for all he knew, in a sweating den in Germany or some other country ? No, he would strongly protest against it. Mr Ell said that there were designers at the Canterbury School of Art, and designing was a special subject there. New Zealand strained local manufacturers to work ehort hours and pay high wages, and they should be encouraged. If the local price was not too high the work certainly should/ bo done here. The higher price of wages in New Zealand certainly made a difference,, and that difference should be paid for. Ho hoped that, if possible, the work even now would be done in New Zealand.

Mr Davey said that he practically endorsed all that had been said by Mr Ell. He had always advocated that everything that could be made in New Zealand should be made in New Zealand.

Mr Meyer said that the Trades Council had taken the subject in hand on account of enormous pressure on the part of large numbers of workers. Exception was taken to a reported statement by the Minister that on previous occasions the standard of local work was not up to the ideals. In that case, and if the local prices, as the Minister stated, were out of reason., why were tenders called in New Zealand on this occasion? There was in Christchurch a gentleman who could equal, if not excel, any work that could be obtained from the Old Country. The agitation was not started by a few individuals, but represented deep feeling amongst the workers. They had got it into their minds that if their children wore those medals it would be an announcement to the world that the work could, not be done in New Zealand. On Imperialistic grounds, also, objection was taken to sending the work outside. Mr Fowkls said that he did not suppose for a moment that any member of the deputation believed that the Government was looking round for trouble, or that it had come to its decision without duo consideration. Whenever the question of obtaining material for the Government's use came u£>, preference was given to articles produced in New Zealand, even if the margin was pretty considerably in favour of the imported a7-ticle. That was a standard principle from which the Government had no intention of departing. He Lad had sufficient experience to know that it did not really matter much what a Government did, it would! always be criticised. He could remember the criticism and ridicule attempted to bo thrown upon the effete Education Department on account of the medals used on the previous occasion, when it was stated that the children would not wear the medals because they were not good enough. Mr'Davey: That is quite true; hundreds of children refused to accept thoni.

Mr Taylor: I don't think any wore them for more than ten minutes.

Tlie Minister said that it was a question whether it wa« wise to give any medals at all. He was not in New Zealand when the recent decision was arrived at, and ho had had no special voice in the matter. When the tenders came in, the Government felt that it wanted, a medal' which, at any rate, would be nice in appearance and-which would be acceptable to the children. The Government gave the question very careful consideration. On the previous occasion the Government expressed its appreciation of the work done by the local manufacturer, and he was not going back on that; but he could remember the criticisms that were levelled at the Education Department after it had expressed its appreciation. As to publishing the prices, it was a simple matter if the specification was for a bridge or a work of that kind, but the publication of prices or quotations for medals would be only misleading, unless people had the samples in front of them. No' samples were forwarded by colonial manufacturers; they only sent sketches. The design had been accepted after very careful consideration because the Government recognised that it was desirable to .make the medals locally if it could get anything like the same result at anything like the same price That was tli=. rjositioii

as it appeared to the Government. It did not do anything in a lightheaded fashion, but, remembering the criticism levelled at the Department previously, it wished, as he had stated, to obtain a medal which would have a nice appearance and would cost a reasonable sum. The whole question was the j point at which a stop should be made. I He had known the Government, where the difference was at all reasonable—within 15 or 20 per cent—give preference to the local article. Mr Whiting: Except on this occasion. Mr Moller said that he had been "shown a sample at the Education DeSartment's Office, and had made his esign on that. The present design was much easier than the previous one. Mr Fowlds said that the Government was exceedingly anxious to encourage local manufactures, but wanted something that would be creditable, and at a price that would lyjt be unreasonable. Mr Moller said that if the medals were mado of aluminium they would cost half as much as if they were made of magnalium, as stated originally. In reply to a question, Mr Fowlds said that, as far as he remembered, the cost would be £7OO for 175,000 medals. Mr Moller said he thought that that was higher than the lowest New Zealand tender. He believed that his tender would work out at about £7OO. In reply to Mr Paterson, Mr Fowlds said that lie could not say at present whether the medals would be made of magnalium or aluminium. Mr Paterson said that the deputation should know the exact price, so that it could compare it with the local price. It ought to have the information. It had a right to have it, and it would not be satisfied until it had got it. Mr Moller said that if the Government thought the work was so bad in the colonies, it was strange that it should put local manufacturers to the cost of tendering. It had cost his firm between £lO and £l2. Mr Taylor: Is the position irrevocable? Mr Fowlds: I expect that the medals will be on the way pretty soon. Mr Paterson : Can you tell us where these medals will be manufactured? Mr Fowlds: They are being manufactured in England. Mr Paterson: At what factory ? "Mr Fowlds: I am not prepared to disclose the secrets of the contractor in that respect. Mr Paterson: We ought to know these They might be made by Jews or Italians in London. Mr Fowlds: You cannot look into these tilings. Mr Paterson: I contend that you ought to look into them., as our children will be expected to wear the medals. Mr Taylor said that the sum of money involved was small, but the question was a big one, as the position reflected upon the craftsmen and also on the Canterbury School of Art and similar institutions, to some extent. A Government, however, was no more immaculate than an individual. He hoped that the little discussion would yield good fruits in the immediate future, and that there would be no more mistakes of the same kind. The Government had a duty to discharge to skilled Ivorkmen, especially under the educational system to which the people knew Mr Fowlds was so devoted. He hoped that in future full justice would be done to New Zealand workmen and manufacturers. (Hear, hear.) • The deputation then withdrew.