OUR INDUSTRIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 124, 19 February 1919, Page 8

OUR INDUSTRIES

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE IN ' CHRISTCHURCH. By Telegraph—Press, Association. • Christchurch, February 18. Before tho Industries Committee, the Rev. Andrew Cameron, of the Otago University, urged the claims of the University College in relation to scientific, research) and suggested a larger grant to professors to enable them to pay their assistants a sufficient si;in to better'carry on scientific researches. He was not in favour of a •reiitr.tlised scientific board at Wellington, but urged that- each college should be well equipped, so that local industries might have tho advantage of scientific research to investigate their problems. A. Ackendon, representing the British Permanent Paint Company of New Zealand, said his firm was making the purest oxide yet manufactured, and thought it was entitled to a larger measure of Government support, which would enable it to launch into the linseed oil industry. M\ P. Murray advocated a protective duty on sacks, which coutd be made in New Zealand.

The representatives of the 'machinery, asbestos, flour, and brush industries urged the imposition of higher duties to enable them to compete successfully with imported articles. J. I'rostick quoted- , figures showing the rise of the boot industry in the Dominion. He claimed that liclf the boots and shoes now imported could be manufactured in New Zealaufl, giving employment to 700 more people. He was in favour of protection for the industry to the extent of equalising the standard of living in the countries of production. Ho went on to challenge the presumption that this country should devote the whole of its efforts to fostering primary industries to the exclusion of the secondary industries, and produced evidence showing that a very great proportion of the articles now imported could be made within New Zealand.

R. H. Wilson, manager of the Zμlandia Soap and Candle Company, asked that the duty on wax be removed,, or duty on candles increased. If the" duty on wax were removed, he would immediately reduce the price of candles.

The representatives of the Parapara Iron Company said thftt there, was a market for iron ore in Australia, and they would like assistance from the Government to get an expert to report on the field.

After hearing other evidence on various matters, the Commission adjourned to meet at Dunedin on Thursday. \