INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1889, 25 October 1913, Page 13

INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION.

DOMINION CONGRESS,

Employers from every city and almost every town _in New Zealand will be represented in Wollington by delegates to the big conferences which are duo next week. Tho first, which is to commence its deliberations on Wednosday, will be that of t'he Now Zealasid Employers' Federation, and the second, to commenoe on Friday, wi'l bo the New Zealand •Industrial Corporation (the Federation of Industrial Associations).' As tho interests of tho members of both bodies aro closely allied, it is anticipated that the delegates .to the. otto conference will to some extent be tho delegates to the othor.

The annual report of the Industrial Corporation, reforring to the shortage of skilled labour, statcs: v "It has to be pointed out that such shortage still exists, and that tho Government, appointed Mr. J. W. Collins, of the Labour Department, ,to make investigation regarding alleged shortage. The results of his findings aro recorded in the animal report of tho Labour Department, which was laid before Parliament on September 2. Tho report not only Bliowed where labour shortage existed, but the classes of hands required, tho rato of wages offered, and tho hours of employment. The report also dealt with tho number of machines idle on account of lack of hands, and showed what attempts had been made by employers by means of advertisement, and otherwise to remedy the shortage..Now that the Government has actual proof that this shortage does exist, and that it is not only apricultural labourers who are. required in tho'Dominion, it is to bo hoped that the High Commissioner in London will be asked to select from applicants for assisted passages, skilled workers for our faotories.

"Tho recommendations as to necessary Customs Tariff Revision, received from the affiliated Industrial _ Associations came before the Executive Council, and were duly compiled and handed to the Minister of Customs, the Hon. F M. B. Fisher. Deputations also waited upon tho Minister, and ho gave his assurance that he will carefully consider tho claims of the corporation when' bringing forward his Customs Tariff Revision Bill. Tho Minister lias further stated that ho is fully alive to the necessity of adequate protection being afforded our manufacturers. It must bo admitted that our legislators have all along given the fullest attention to the primary industries of the Dominion. It has repeatedly been claimed, and rightly so, by the Industrial' Associations, tftat no iconntry can become really great if it depends upon its primary industries alone. Tho greatness of America's trade was founded upon a Customs tariff which was high enough to actually prohibit tho importation of goods which her own manufacturers could mako. We do not go so far as to ask tho Government for this, but wo do ask; and surely, in all fairness, for sufficient protection to enable our manufacturers to compote on level terms with the manufacturers of other countries. Tho Government of tho United States of America has hitelv passed a Customs Tariff Revision Bill which will further benefit our farmers. In referring to this, let it be stated that wo as manufacturers welcomo tho nows, for the good of the country. Wo, however, consider that thoso members of Parliament representing tho farming interests should now more readily 6eo that our manufacturers obtain something which is actually required—facilities for output. "The U.S.A. Bill referred to, which is reported as having been passed, removes tho former high tariff, and allows the free importation of wool into tho States." .

The first annual boxing of +ha Boys' Institute were held last evening in the Institute Buildings. Mr. C. Bridgo acted as tlio judge. The different grades were won by Scorridge, Winter, H. Hall, and L. Malison, Rudriel, Atkinson. Ilulverson, and L. o'l''laherty. The boxing members made a present to the training instructor, Mr. W. Heenan,

In tiro House of Representatives yesterday Mr E. Newman gave notieo to ask tho Minister of Agriculture whothor instructions bavo been given io suspend tho operations of tho Noxious Weeds Act, especially ,in regard to Californian thistle, in certain portions of tho Dominion in order to favour Ipr-RO landowners aB couiparod with owners of smaller moss*