OUR INDUSTRIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 121, 15 February 1919, Page 10

OUR INDUSTRIES

EVIDENCE AT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE. . 13y Telegraph-Press Association Christchurch, February H. At the Industries Committee to-day representatives of fho furniture trade urged that a preferential tariff of 12} per cent, be imposed on furniture from European and American and allied countries, that restrictions lie placed on importations from countries where the. wages and tho standard of living aro lower than in New Zealand, and that goods made in enemy countries be prohibited for ten years. It was also recommended that tho Commission should inquire into the manufacture in the Dominion of three-ply veneer and raw spirit; also that various specified articles used in the trade should be admitted free. Mr. A. Smeliie, Otago Iron Rolling Mills, advocated the admission of rolliug machinery irfo and a preferential railway tariff.

Mr. T. Itinglaiul, representing an iron and steel company in Dunodin, asked the eommilteo to help to secure semi-finished steel from Australia. Mr. C. M. Olliver, president of tho Canterbury Progress Lqague, said that industry could be helped if a Minister for Industries were 'appointed, who had some capacity for the 'work. Money should be advanced to industries by the Government as well as to iioople going on the land, ami money, should be voted for scientific research work. Speaking as chairman of directors of tho Woolston Tanneries, Ltd., witness detailed grievances of his company as a result of Government interference. A sympathetic Government was required to help New Zealand industries. Labour troubles did not worry them. Tho cuifse of this country was the inefficient employer. Witness advocated the discontinuance, of the branding of cattle, -which lie alleged spoilt hides. On belialf of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. H, .T. Marrihor urged improvements to local railway facilities, duplication of tho Lyttclton Tunnel, and speedy completion of the Midland line. Mr. S. E. Collery urged quicker and cheaper means of transit for perishable products. \ Mr.: C. A. Mylire, president of tho Christchurch Clothing Manufacturers' Association, stated .that clothing manufactured in 1911 was valued at and clothing imported during, the same year was at a lauded value of i 11,378,858. Had this been manufactured in the Dominion 'it would liave given employment to an additional 8012 hands. During the war period the importation of clothing nearly stopped and tho demand fell upon tho Dominion producers, with Satisfactory results. . He anticipated an additional demand for clothing, and said that it would bo necessary to materially increase tho output. He suggested that to meet tho scarcity of labour the Government should seriously consider the matter of immigration, not necessary single girls, but families. To prevent the importation of-shoddy clothing there should", be an impost of a fixed sum per garment, in addition to tho present duty. The cheaper kinds of garments for tho use of workers engaged in dirty worlc could be manufactured- in New Zealand.