MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 19805, 2 March 1928, Page 5

MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE The monthly meeting of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association executive, held last night, was presided over by Mr T. Somerville, and there was a good attendance of members. INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE. The Secretary (Mr G. W. Reid) read correspondence dealing with .the National Industrial Conference which is to be held on March 27, embodying au agenda paper, a circular letter re procedure, a notification that the Dunedin Association's quota of representatives will be three. Also that a preliminary conference of the Employers’ Federation would bo held Drier to the national conference. The Chairman said that all that could be done that night would be to appoint, if they so desired, delegates to the conference on the 27th inst*. At the Employers’ Federation conference practically all sections of the employing side would meet, and it seemed to him that one of tho matters that would receive a lot of consideration would be as to whether the employers desired tho retention of the Arbitration Court. Then, if tho court’s retention was deemed desirable, tho matter of whether its scope or powers bo altered to meet tho economic position would be discussed. The questions of profit-shar-ing, tile management of business, and industrial legislation generally would also come up lor discussion. It had been hoped that Wellington would have been able to give some lead, but apparently they, as well as the Dunedin Association, were more or less “in tho air.” The first conference would clear tho air, and delegates to that conference should bo in a position to slate their case at the second. Mr J. Sutherland Ross said that the big question that would be dealt with at the conference was whether the Arbitration Court was fulfilling tliS functions for which it was created, and if it was not, whether it should be scrapped or altered to enable it to do so. Speaking personally, bo found it very difficult to express any opinion on the matter, and those he had consulted held opinions which differed widely. Nothing definite could be done until tho views of tho bulk of the manufacturers were ascertained. There were sure to be differences of opinion. The conference was to be one consisting of twenty-five representatives of Hie employers and a similar number representing employees, plus the Parliamentary Committee and other interested sections; in all, seventy men, who'would attend and endeavor to come to some definite conclusion on tho matter. There was a keen desire on all sides to devise some means of bringing Capital and Labor together, and in this New Zealand was following the example of Britain and Australia,

It was unanimously resolved that Air J. Sutherland Ross represent tho association at the conference of employers on the 20th List., and that the representation at the Government conference should be left over in the meantime. INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH. Tho Secretary reported having written Dr Alarsden asking if he could arrange to send an officer to Dunedin to visit the factories and discuss with manufacturers the question of industrial research, and’ prepare a report. Dr Alarsden had replied that lie would endeavor to carry out the suggestion and make arrangements accordingly. DELEGATION TO SAMOA. With reference to the proposed delegation to Samoa, the Secretary read correspondence in which tiio suggestion was made that, in view of the present boycott of New Zealand goods, it might be better to postpone the sending of exhibits of these goods. Air Hogg thought that it might ho advisable to postpone the whole thing, and moved—“ That the conference of presidents consider iho advisability of postponing the date of tiio delegation to Samoa to coincide witli tho visit of the exhibits.” Air R. Caddie seconded the motion, which was carried. CONGRATULATIONS.

It was resolved that the Otago Harbor Board congratulated on its prompt action'.'in arranging for the enlargement of the dock accommodation to enable tho crippled steamer C. A. Larsen to be docked here.