Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

INCREASES IN N.Z. MADE GOODS.

INDUSTRIALISTS MEET AND DISCUSS MATTERS AFFECTING TRADE. The annual meeting of the Canterbury Industrial Association, to be known in future as the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, was held in the Cadena Tea Rooms last night. There w’as a very good attendance pf members. The president, Air E. H. ‘ Marriner, was in the chair, and i amongst those associated with him at the official tabic were the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. K. Archer), the i Hon D. Buddo, M.P., the Hon R. Moore, M.L.C., Messrs 11. Holland, M.P., E. J. Howard, M.P.. T. Armstrong, M.P., A. W Beaven (presidentelect), W. J. Jenkin (ex-president), J. D. Hall and 11. Jenkin. -The formal business of the evening w’as proceeded by a luncheon. PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. t In his presidential address Air Marriner stated that he was sorry to state that during the past year there had been more unemployment among tfce manufacturers than for many years, owing to over-importation. Many factories were working short time and others were working with very much reduced staffs. New Zealand manufacturers had created for themselves and their country a national asset in buildings and equipment to the value of nearly £50,000.000, giving employment to over 80,000 skilled New Zealand workers; they paid wages annually to the value of £15.101.202 per year, or £52,000 per day: usi\ig raw material worth over £52,000,000 and manufacturing finished articles worth £84,101,315. These figures for a country on whose shores the early pioneers landed a little over eighty 3-ears ago were remarkable. During the last twent3'-five years .the increases in factory production were as follows: 1900. 1925. No. of establishments .... 3.ISS 4,547 Employees .. 41,-257 80,327 Wages paid .. £3,095,561 £15,090,202 Raw material used £G,092,727 £52,161,120 Value of manufactures £12,227,864 £54,101,313 Land, buildings, etc £7,959.631 £49.975,542 Motive power 39,052 288,406 The following manufacturing industries showed a reduced output in employees and wages:—The woollen industr}-, a decrease of production of £157,000; the boot and shoe industr}', £129,000; and the clothing industrv, £61.000.

Mr Marriner went on to quote figures showing the amount manufactured per head of population and the amount exported and imported per head in the past twent3 ,, -five years. The figures for IS9O and 1925 were as follow: -♦--Manufactured, £lO, £SB; exports. £l4, £4O: imports, £9, £3B. It would be noticed that the New Zealand manufactures had increased 480 per cent per head in the last twenty-five 3'ears: exports had increased 185 per cent per head, and imports 322 per cent per head of population during that period. The increase in the value of exports had been gradual except when there was a sudden rise in 1919 from £2l to £45. The figures for 1925 showed £4O per head to be the second highest in the history of New Zealand. The 1925 figures showed that New Zealand still led as the greatest importer of the world; the totals worked out at £3B per head of population. These figures must be reduced if New Zealand was to be prosperous and keep her workers employed and provide work for the overseas immigrants. If only 15 per cent of the goods which were imported last year into New Zealand were manufactured here it would provide work for 11,000 more hands and would support 34,000 of the population. That 34,000 would have to be fed and clothed, and that would increase the New Zealand production to nearly another £2,000.000 more than last year’s figures. New Zealand workmen manufactured on an average £1047 value per head per annum, whereas the Australian workers manufactured on an average only £865. The New Zealand worker therefore turned out £lB2 worth per head annually more than his fel-low-worker in Australia. BR AN DING X ECESSAR Y. Mr Marriner stressed the urgency of branding goods adequatelv, stating that it assisted in solidifying the reputation of the manufactured goods, with the result that satisfied users could alwaj-s recommend to iheir friends the actual article and maker. Such brands also made it possible for the buying public to distinguish between the imported article and the New Zealand-made, which was a very essential thing. He stated that a circular was to be sent out by the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, asking manufacturers for their opinion regarding branding goods. Congratulations were expressed to_ the Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, who had made it their mission to boost New Zea-land-made goods. During the coming year it was hoped to do much propaganda among the senior pupils of the primary and secondary schools, it being borne in mind that the youth of to-day would bo the adult of the near future. The speaker dwelt on the advantages of unity, and he went on to refer to the results of the conference of manufacturers held in Christchurch last October/ Mr Marriner also made complimentary reference to the association’s women’s auxiliary. r \ he women’s committee had held many meetings, and had applied itself to its work and the interests of the association in a thoroughly efficient and businesslike manner. The work in connection with the industrial exhibition was especially to be noted, and thanks were particularly due to Mesdamcs W. J. Jenkin, Boyce and M’Cracken. The tariff question was touched on by the chairman, and under that heading he quoted many figures, and said that there would always be importers howling against the manufacturer. If the howler beat the local manufacturer through price-cutting he would probably put. up his prices to compensate for- the victory. It could be said safely that 20 per cent of the manufacturing industries were asking for extra protection, which they had the right to demand if the standard of living was to be maintained. It would be necessary to bring forward the strongest possible case when the master of tariffs was next to be considered by Parliament. 111 conclusion, Mr Marriner expressed thanks to the executive, for assistance given, and he trusted the same support would be accorded his successor. The association had a busy year ahead, and it behoved every member to do his utmost to assist the executive in carrying out the work. He expressed especial thanks to tjie secretary, Mr D. Hoare, and Mr Colquhoun, of the Industries and Commerce Department. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr A. W. Beaven;

vice-president, Mr 11. Bradley: honorary treasurer, Mr W. W. Charters; executive committee, Messrs E. Archbold, H. Burson, F. W. J. Belton, C. B. Bowie, T. J. Boyce, G- H. Congreve, F. L. Hutchinson, A. Johnson, W. JTenkin, S. H. Maddren. W. C. Rudkin, R. 11. Webb, A. M. West, I. Woolf, 11. Willis and H. Thomas; auditor, Mr T. G. Strange. The alteration of the name of the Canterbury Industrial Association to that of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, was approved; also that after January 1, 1927, none but manufacturers should be entitled to membership. • After the formal business, the toast of “ The King ” was proposed by the chairman; other toasts were: ‘‘Parliament. and Civic Authorit}',” proposed by Mr H. Bradley and responded to by the Hon R. Moore,. M.L.C., Mr J. K. Archer (Mayor), Messrs H, Holland, E. J. Howard and 11. T. Armstrong, "Trades and Commerce,” proposed by Mr Beaven, responded to by Mr J. D. Hall and Colonel Colquhoun (Industries and Commerce Department); "The Press,” proposed b>* Mr 11. Willis. At intervals, musical and other items were given by Messrs L. Cookson, Geo. Smith and John Williams.

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.
Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19261125.2.116

Bibliographic details

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18013, 25 November 1926, Page 11

Word Count
1,236

INCREASES IN N.Z. MADE GOODS. Star (Christchurch), Issue 18013, 25 November 1926, Page 11

INCREASES IN N.Z. MADE GOODS. Star (Christchurch), Issue 18013, 25 November 1926, Page 11