INDUSTRIAL MATTERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 157, 22 March 1918, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL MATTERS

MEETING OF THE CORPORATION

CONFERENCE CONCLUDED

Tho annual meeting of the Industrial Corporation of Now Zealand was concluded in Wellington last evening. Mr. .]?. J. Evans/ presided , . Hydro-Electrical soiiemes. In the morning Mr. E. Parry (Gov-c-rnmein.. Electrical Engineer) spoke on the subject, of hydro-electrical works. He said that in the. North Island there were three main sources of supply— the Waikato llivor, Lake Waikaremoana, and tho river at Shannon. Engineers would find no great difficulty in supplying tho whole of the Island from ono common source. Survoys of these sources bad boon made, and other surveys, which would include Lake Wairnrapa, were in progress. A canvass of users of power was being j made to find what was spent on coal, etc., in order to estimate the number of units which would bo required. The Lake Coleridge scheme would be self-supportina;, and the State expenditure would lie recoverable in four or live years. A big electrical scheme would not result in a closing down of coal mines, but would enhance the value of coal.

Sir. J. P. Luke (Mavor of Wellington) said that it seemed to him that it was our duty to convert our watw power into electricity, and conserre the coal supply for tho use of the ships, on which we would rely for tho export of our product*, liie country would be justified in raising rr-oney •as soon as it was available for tho carrying out of electrical sciiomcs. If a scheme was not begun soon, Wellington would need \i> instnl steam turbines to provide tho necessary power. It was resolved , "That this meeting is of opinion that steps should' he taken to urge the Government to bring all parts of the- Dominion into lino with GanWhury by developing liydro-elc-etric schemes for power, light and heat, for in the development of both our primary and secondary industries olectricitv must play an important part. This meeting 'recommends the combined associations 'to lead an agitation to urge, the Government to take immediate action and to enlist the sympathy of the various chambers of commerce."

Technical Education. Mr. L. Joll (Auckland) introduced the subject of technical education. Mr. Joll said that tlfe first thing necessary was to allow a lad to make his own choice of avocation. After the war tremendous progress iu education would bo possible. A harmonious basis from which employers and employees could work was necessary. Long hours of work were not always essential,.and he favoured shorter hours for apprentices so'that they could attend technical classes.'

Mr. T; E. Whitton (Auckland) remarked that the Efficiency Hoard was to inquire into the matter. He added that he had noticed that the capacity of .the board to make the inquiry had been questioned.

Tho chairman said that in Wellington there was an impression that it would be better if the management of the Technical School was handed to a board of three gentlemen of outstanding ability.

Mr. H. Dea. .ey (Auckland) said that the idea that boys should learn trades at technical schools was mistaken. Trades should be learned at the factories and the higher development should be sought in the technical schools. Rewards for good students should be' offered.'

Mr. J. Black (Canterbury) stated that some of the industrial awards existing in the Canterbury district stipulated that apprentices should, attend technical classes for so many hours per week in their employers' time, but it had been reported that the apprentices made the attendance almost '.a holiday. Mr. C. J. Ward said that caro had to bo taken not to rnakoftlie day too long for apprentices. Mr. H. A. Parkinson, of the Headmasters' Association, asked tho gathering to send'a representative to_ join tho deputation which was to wait on the Prime .Minister to urge that it was ;iiecessary to do something for education before the war was concluded. The chairman of the Efficiency Board (Mr. .W. Ferguson) stated that the board was inquiring into the subject of education, particularly industrial education, and he asked the gathering to secure evidence for production to the board. The chairman assured Mr. Ferguson that this puld be done. It was decided to have Mr. Joll s views on technical education sent to the Efficiency Board. , The chairman,Messrs.. T. Ballinger, and C. G. Ward were appointed to represent the views of the association to the board.

Soldiers and settlement. The question of the repatriation of returned soldiers was discussed; also the breaking in of waste lands, roading, and settlement. Mr. T. E. "Whitton (Auckland) opened the subject. . He thought that returned men who were physically fit might be employed in the work of opening up such lands and.of roadmg. Mr. S. J. Harbutt (Auckland) thought that a promiscuous dumping of soldiers on land would be wrong and absurd. Land should^he handled and developed by men of experience.. Perhaps a block of land could be placed under the control of a. man who could employ a number of soldiers, and, when the land was ready, split up amongst soldiers. ~',, , ... One of the delegates said that this line had already been followed by a number of orchardists in the north. Other delegates spoke in favour of the idea expressed, and it was decided that the Auckland members should draft a resolution for presentation to the Prime Minister. . .

To Encourage Industries. The following was'moved by Mr. R. S Badger (Canterbury)-.—"That in view of the number of new industries being established owing to the war the Government be urged to establish an Advances to Industries Department or an Industrial Bank." Mr. Badger said that effort should be made to encoura«e New Zealand manufactures. Mr C. G. Ward seconded. Practical assistance from the Government was needed for our industries. Mr E Parry' was asked to express his - view's. ' He thought that wood miMit come from an Industrial Bank. which might advance money on sound proposals. He advised that a small committee- should be set up to ascertain what was being done in other centres. ~ Mr. S. J. Harbutt (Auckland) moved an amendment in tlie direction of referring the question to the branch associations for inquiry, the branch associations' to report to the corporation. ■ 'I'l'P motion was withdrawn in Favour of the amendment, which was adopted. Other Business. On the motion of Mr. F. J. Vickcrman, it was resolved that the manufacturers of New Zealand should establish a fund to lie used in efforts 'to .secure New Zealand trnde for New Zenlanders. It was decided also that a publicity committee should bo set up in each centre. The next annual meeting of the corporation is to be held, in Christchurch.