MANUFACTURERS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20091, 21 November 1930, Page 15

MANUFACTURERS.

FIFTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING. CANTERBURY lIALL PROJECT. There ivas u large attendance at the sist annual meeting of the Canterbury Manufacturers' Association, held last evening. Mr I. Woolf (president) occupied the chair. The apologies included one from Mr G. W. Olinkard, secretary to the Department of Industries and Commerce, Wellington. "I am sure that manufacturers must recogniße the great value the Association is to its members.''* said his letter. In moving the adoption 01 the annual report (already published') and statement of accounts, Mr Woolf said: If the slump through which we are pussing, and passing quickly, I liope, could have been foreseen fifteen mouths ago, I very much doubt whether your executive would have been brave enough to face the building proposal this year, but having onco set its hand to the plough, there was no turning back. Manufacturers are not, at the best of times, an affluent class, and generaly speaking, the funds at their disposal have to be used continuously in their own businesses, but_ many hm 0 i responded very nobly, and it has been a pleasure to wait upon them and be so well received, and if I may put it in this way, it has been an even greater pleasure to be so well received and so well supported by many who are not directly interested in manufacturing business. Membership Decrease. The membership of the Association has dropped a little, but that has occurred chiefly through death and retirement from business. Our organiser advises that there is not a largo number of manufacturers outside the Asso* elatiort in Ch'ristchurch, and I hope those who do not belong may soon be found in our ranks. Turning to the finance, I must congratulate you upon a healthy position, and on a negligible drop in income as against the expenditure. With reference to the recent unfortunate position at Lake Coleridge, manufacturers have been so vitally interested in this matter that I feel our special Vigilance Committee should remain a standing committee in co-opera-tion With a similar sub-committee from the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, because as next winter approaches we shall have to make sure, so far as we possibly can, that the power upon which we depend, as well as the public services, are at least safe. Unemployment Act. I am sure that you will agree with me in extending the most cordial con- [ gratulations to your senior vice-presi-dent, and one of your most enthusiastic and vigorous members, Mr F. L. Hutchinson, in connexion with his appointmenlTto 'the Unemployment Board. (Applause.) In none of the interests represented on the Board has there been such unanimity as in this appointment, and the associations of employers have been almost unanimous in supporting Mr Hutchinson's nomination, which was sent in simultaneously from all four of the Manufacturers' Associations. It is not too early for me to urge all of you to begin thinking along the lines of help and success for our next exhibition in the Canterbury Hall. From our point of view it will be the most Important of the five, and although we are going to be somewhat hard pressed to have the building ready, I hope we shall be able to accommodate manufacturers and exhibitors generally much more comfortably than we have been able to do in a makeshift building in the past.

iTew Zealand-made Goods. One cannot but express the feeling that during the past two years, partly owing to the most regrettable increase in unemployment, the public, and leaders of the public, have been more inclined to reeogniso the right of New Zealand manufacturers to their home market. The inspiring public utterances of Sir Charles Fergusson, and his distinguished successor, Lord Bledisloe, in addition to those of the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Labour Party, and many of their political colleagues have done much to help in this direction and to guide the public. Times are hard, the purchasing power of the sovereign is not what it used to be, and the depression through which *ve are passing at the^present time is being sorely felt by manufacturers in common with the chief industries of the country in which our agricultural and pastoral friends are so vitally involved. The spectre of unemployment, and illhealth which accompanies it, is a growr ing one, and in many eases is disheartening to genuine honest wqfkera, and the depression caused by the fallen values, without any corresponding fall in costs, is a matter which must cause our leaders of political, economic, a»4 commercial thought, the gravest concern. We. can only hope that the Unemployment Act will bo the means of finding some sort of solution, but I feel sure that until the leaders in all sections caa combine in serious and unselfish conference, there will not be much headway. Pessimism is of no help, and w# must endeavour to look at the brightest side. I am sure that you as manufacturers, with bo much capital locked up in your, venture, and many men, women, and children dependent upon your busi- j ness, will do your share to help to bring about, so far as lies within your power, a brighter day for New Zealand. There is a spirit of pessimism in this country out of all relation to events. We have had slumps before, far worse than the present one. I speak from knowledge, having been in this country for_ 53 years. We have had prosperous times, and wo will have them again. Instead of this pessimism, let us remember the spirit of the pioneers of the Dominion. Era of Prosperity. Mr F. L. Hutchinson, seconding the motion, said the acute condition of the slump would soon pass off. "I am quite sure we have an era of prosperity before us," said Mr Hutchinson. Mr A. W. Beaven said the president represented the enthusiasm which was responsible for the buccgss in connexion with Canterbury Hall, if Christchurch had anything to be proud of m the past year, it was its response to the offer of debentures. The raising of the full amount of the first mortgage was somewhat difficult, but the T. and G. Insurance Company had lent tho Association £15,000 on very fair terms. It was pleasing to know that they would at | last be housed. The new building would be essentially one for exhibition purposes. The Association had yot r,o gell £2OOO worth of debentures, and it should continue its partnership with the Canterbury A. and P. Association, which could best be done by inducing the farmers to take lip sufficient shares to entitle theni to a director. The list request he had to make was for membevs to find tenants for the builamg. It should be suitable for indoor golf, find tennis, and other attractions. Mr H. Willis said that in the eighteen years" in which ho had been a member tho Association had nOTcr had

a more capable executive than that serving it at present. The motion was carried. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted an iob lows: — President, Mr I. Wooll'; vice-presi-dents: Messrs E. Archboid and C. H. Burson; executive: Messrs IL Bradley, F. W. J. Bolton, F. T. Boyee, S. H. Maddrcn, 11. Willis, H. Anderson, V. D. Evans, W. li. Crompton, A. M. Hollander, C. S. McCullv, A. E. Mercer, R. 11. Webb, J. It. Hay ward, 8. C. W. David, P. G. Clements, S. W. Ayres, E. E. JBen-v, W. A. Pattison, and J. W, Thomas; auditor, Mr T. G. Strange. Responding to the welcome of the president, Miss L. Tnbart, (president of ttie Women's Auxiliary) said its members wefe gratified at the impending erection of the new building. In the future women would take a great deal more interest in the Show. "Is it right to ignore the talents of our own people?" she asked. "Our girls are wonderfully clever, and the country should employ them." Mrs W. Maehin said that the ladies' committee was determined to do its work very thoroughly, and to help every girl to express any gift which she might possess. Mrs Robertson (secretary) said they had had many difficulties to meet, but they had managed to get their own wayill the end. (Laughter.) The meeting was concluded with supper. and a programme of vocal items.