LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1554, 25 September 1912, Page 8

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. MANUFACTURERS AND THEIR NEEDS. * A VARIETY OF TOPICS. A conference of the Industrial Corporation of New Zealand was opened in Wellington yesterday. Mr. L. R. Partridge (president of tho Wellington Industrial Association) presided. Other delegates present were:—Messrs. P. Hercus, J. B. Laurenson (Christchurch), S. J. Harbutt, J. 31. Wilson, T. Hodgson, T. Ji. Whittou (Auckland), ]|\ C. Crease, S. S. Williams, J. P. Luke, T. lialliuger, and H. f. Allen (secretary). The Auckland, Canterbury, and Wellington Industrial Associations form the Industrial Corporation. The president extended the visiting delegates a hearty welcome. He said tliat it was now somo years since a similar conference had been held in New Zealand, and that in that time much had taken place in the country's industrial sphere, it was an acknowledged fact that a nation to be really great must combine tho two essentials ot success—manufacture and agriculture. They should see that a fair proportion of the attention of the legislators was directed to tho advancement of local industries. A great deal was being done for the farming industry, and rightly so, as it was the Dominion's principal source of wealth; but all of tho community should bo considered. This was sometimes overlooked, notably with regard to immigration. There was a great shortage of skilled labour throughout the Dominion at the present time. It appeared to him that tho Government should bo requested to bring out a largo number of immigrants, as the Dominion could easily do with twice its present population. Every worker brought here was an asset to tho country; he was a consumer as well as a producer, and made work for others as well as making more produce. Also, the immigrant would pay his share of the oost of government in taxation, and would help to develop the country. Money spent in bringing out this class of immigrant would repay tho State two-fold. Other countries were pushing on their immigration schemes and spending vast amounts of money in advertising their attractions, and it was time that New Zealand did more in this direction. With regard to the expansion of New Zealand industries, tho first essential was to create a demand for New Zealand-made goods. He would urge upon New Zealand manufacturers the need for keeping their goods "up to quality," so that tho public would be proud to say: "This was made in New Zealand!" Already thero was a demand abroad for some New Zeu-land-mado goods, and there was no reason, with an abundance of raw material, why this demand should not be strengthened. Taking the industries of the Dominion as a whole, there had not been tho advancement in the last ten years that he would like to. have seen. Still, ho had great faith in the Dominion's future as a manufacturing nation, notwithstanding all the recent labour troubles, and he hoped to yet see our industries in a flourishing condition. The Minister for Customs had promised a revision of the tariff for next session, and it behoved the industrial people to unite-, in order to get something of what they, required. The Cost of Living Commission had said that the cost of living had gono up; but had added that the standard of jiving had risen, too. People now enjoyed luxuries they did not have years ago. He believed that, taken all round, the people of New Zealand .were .happier to-day than the people of most- countries. His sympathies were, with the workers, and when he said "workers" he included the manufacturers, as they were, mostly, workers, and what benefited one should benefit the whole community.

THE IRON INDUSTRY,

\ STATE OR PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. Mr. J. B. Lnurenson (Christchurch) opened a discussion concerning -the iron industry. H« mentioned the proposals of. the'Ethclburga "Syndicate, which proposed to work the Paraparaand Tarnnaki • sands with tho aid of a subsidy from the New Zealand Government. In the period from 1902 to 1911, .£19,912,890 worth of iron (raw and manufactured) had been imported into- New Zealand. The syndicate proposed ironworks, and for the first two years it desired to obtain a bountv of ,£35,000 per year, for tho third year ,£22,500. for the fourth year .£27,500, and for the fifth year .£32,500, a total of .£117,500. During those five .years the syndicato proposed spending in the venture, and .£510.000 in wages, a total of XI ,190,000. The Christchurch Industrial Association was of the opinion that the country would reap enormous benefits from this undertaking. Tho establishment of tho industry would mean that 10,000 more mechanics would be' needed in the Dominion, which would mean an increase of 50,000 in4he population. The idea was that' the State could buy the conrern in 20 years at "a fair valuation." or that the concern would becomo tho property of the State in '10 years. He thoxight that this opportunity of setting the iron industry on its feet should not he allowed to slip by. Mr. Laurenson moved: 'That this conference respectfully asks the Government to immediately grant to tho Ethelbu'rga Syndicale the bounties which they require for the establishment of the iron industry, after tho Government has satisfied itself as to the fairness of the syndicate's proposals, the conference feeling sure that it will he for tho benefit of the Dominion as a whole; the Government also to b» asked to take into consideration the coal quantity of the Dominion, and the amount which the carrying on of tho said iron industry would require,, and what amount of coal would be required in connection with other industries, and what effect the using of the coal for tho iron in-' dustry would have upon the cost of production in other industries." Mr. S. S. Williams (Wellington) seconded the motion. Mr. J. P. Cuke (Wellington) opposed the motion. He said that tho mover desired to see tho country exploited by a syndicate. H4 held that for many years to come the concern would be a monopoly, and that as such, it should be run for the State by the people. Parapara offered inducements for manufacturers, but ho had never yet been able to get the information as to what percentage of that iron was" useful for foundry purposes. Ha believed in private enterprise, but ho thought that this, as a monopoly, should bo kept in the hands of tho State. If this industry were given into the hands of a syndicate, more labour troubles would be bred than would be the case if it were under State, control. It would not be a very costly job for the Government to.put up a blast furnace for the manufacture of pig-iron for New Zealand me. It was all moonshine to talk about exporting pig-iron. He beliercd that it was the duty of the Government to put up a blast furnace, and ■ to make • pigiron for tho foundries of New Zealand. "I will vote against the resolution," Mr. Luke concluded. "I think that it is an outrageous thin?."

Subsequently, Mr. Luke moved the following amendment:— "That this conference is of the opinion that the truest interests of the. Dominion will be promoted and safeguarded by the State's devclopine the iron industry, in preference to subsidising it by way of bounty or bonus for any syndicate to carry out. tho undertaking." Mr. Luke's amendment was lost, and Mr. Lauronsori's motion was carried. IMPERIAL TRADE COMMISSION. HtEPAEING THE WAY. A letter, dated September 9, from the Under-Secretary of tho Department, of Internal Affaire, was read, stating that the Dominions' Royal Commission would visit New Zealand early next year for tho purpose of making inquiry and taking evidence, and that a local .representative was being appointed to make all. necessary arrangements in the Dominion. The Under-Secretary requested that ho should be supplied with suggestions for the commission's iuquiry. Mr. J. B. Laurenson (Christchurch) moved: "That the Government be asked to ■ appoint ft committal; c-otifisting of _ tojlcr?, primary produjerj, nutl wans.

facturers, together with tho chambers of commerce and the industrial associations of the Dominion for the purpose of preparing the required information as inquired ior in this memorandum." Mr. J. P. Luko (Wellington) moved as an amendment: "That this conference is of tho opinion that each of the three industrial centres associated with this conference should appoint their own representative to deal exclusively with tho question and put it before tho commission." The amendment was carried. CUSTOMS TARIFF. The conference discussed the subicct of Customs tariff, and it was resolved:— "That this conference notes with pleasure that it is proposed to readjust tho Customs tariff next year, and that tho honourable the Minister lias stated that he will seek the assistance of manufacturers and others .prior to bringing down his proposals. It is felt that this opportunity is an excellent one to enable the Dominion to get a scientifically constructed tariff, which will materially _ assist the Dominion's industries. This conference desires to congratulate the Minister on his taking this forward step, which accords with the action takon by other countries." PUBLIC CONTRACTS. The following resolution was carried:— "That this conference regrets that several local bodies in the Dominion lack patriotism to the secondary industries, and are constantly importing manufactured goods that can be made as cheaply, and, in most cases, as efficiently, in New Zealand as elsewhere; and, further, this conference urges that the Government should ' embody in the regulations for loans to local bodies from the State office a proviso that supplies should be obtained from the Dominion manufac- ' tures for the requirements of the local bodies." OFFICERS. It was resolved that the officers of the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association, together with the presidents of the Auckland and tho Christchurch Associations, should be the executive for the ensuing year. Mr. H. P. Allen was appointed secretary to the corporation for the ensuing year, and it was resolved to hold the next conference in Wellington a year hence. Owing to pressure on our space some other matters discussed have had to to held over.