IRONMASTERS' ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 19801, 27 February 1928, Page 13

IRONMASTERS' ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING At the annual meeting of the Otago Ironmasters’ Association!, presided over by Mr J. B. Shaddock, the officers were all re-elected for tho ensuing year, and the following annual report was adopted : The year has been a fairly quiet one for the engineering trades. Business has been dull during the year, so much so that some of onr manufacturing firms have had to work reduced hours in order to keep their staff in employment. In the early part' of the year the Tariff Commission sat in Dunedin, when some of onr members gave evidence that so impressed the Commission that they visited Messrs Methven’s works to see at first hand what Avas being done in manufacturing for our own market. Hopes were expressed that something would be done to assist onr industry, but when the neAv Tariff Bill Avas circulated it Avas found that, Avhile in some instances a certain measure of relief Avas gained, on the Avhole no great improvement was obtained. Mr John A. Brown is to be congratulated on the excellent Avay in which he stated his case before the Commissioners. The annual meeting of the federation took place at Wellington in March, Avhen Mr Shacklock presided over a large attendance of _ delegates. A great many matters of interest to tiro trade Avere discussed, particularly tho question of scientific research, which iiad been brought forward by the association. This matter was fully ventilated, and after a meeting Avifch Dr Marsden, head of the department, he agreed to render all the assistance that avos in his pnAver to further the technical and scientific problems of tho trade. All our awards expire this year. It is expected that this matter Avill be fully discussed at the coming annual conference, Avhen a decision Avill bo arrived at as to Avhat action Avill bo taken. ToAvards the close of tho year Mr George Methven, of_ Methven’s, Ltd., passed away at a ripe old age. The sympathies of this association Averc extended to the family. We are again indebted to our president, Mr J. B. Shacklock. for his untiring efforts on our behalf.