INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12056, 11 July 1917, Page 7

INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS.

CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION. . MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The General Committee of the Canterbury industrial Association met last night, Mr A. W. Jamicson presiding. A lengthy report from the Auckland Provincial Industrial Association on education for industrial efficiency was referred to a special meeting a fortnight later. , A resolution was received • from the Furniture Trades Employers' Union endowing tlu> action of th a Industrial Board in urging the Government to make full and particular investigation into the manufacture of three-ply veneer and wood spirit from New Zealand timbers. Mr A. Black said that, the matter was of the utmost importance to all builders and furniture, makers, for without three-ply there was too much timber used. Even one saw-cut took more than one. ply of veneer. Mr Black reported that his Efficiency Sub-committee had met and prepared schedules of essentials and non-essen-tials, and thes 8 had been returned to the secretary of the Commissioner. The president said that, in view of the early calling up of the Second Division, it was imperative that all sectional 'conveners should, get their returns in as soon as possible. The Chamber of Commerce was t undertaking simdar work in regard to commercial institutions, and it might be. possible to co-operate. Mr G. H. Holford, reporting on the utilisation of waste lands, stated that further inspection had 'strengthened the opinion that a big proportion of the areas offered was unsuitable for the particular work suggested, namely, seed-growmg. Information was being sought through, the Efficiency Board in regard to present stocks of vegetable and root seeds in New Zealand, and the result would largely de.termino future action. The Education Board was also being communicated' with in regard to school children's work on sections. From present indications, it seemed that the association's efforts might be, best utilised in putting before householders the advisability of growing large quantities of vegetables in their own gardens and, where possible, saving their own seed. •Mr Holford's recommendations were adopted. The president said that there seemed to be a misapprehension that' the block syste?n of milk delivery, advocated by the association and endorsed by the council, was a monopoly. The milkmen were strongly against the granting of a monopoly to any section of the community, /Tile system would effect a great saving, and undeiwt a man called up in the ballot could forgo his appeal, knowing that his business would continue. Mr F. Willis asked how a, saving was to bo effected if the block system was not going to reduce the number of horses and carts, but would merely reduce the time that each milkman spent on his round. The president said that any saving of time was a national saving.