MEETING OF ARTISANS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 981, 17 August 1877, Page 3

MEETING OF ARTISANS.

A public meeting was held at the Oddfellows' Hall last evening, convened by his Worship the Mayor, in compliance with the following requisition : —To his Worship the Mayor of the City of Christchurch —We, the undersigned citizens of Christchurch, respectfully request you to call a public meeting at your earliest convenience to take into consideration the present state of the manufacturing trades in Christchurch and the colony generally, and to adopt resolutions bearing on the subject; the same to be forwarded to our representatives in Parliament assembled. — Signed by 123 citizens. There was a very large attendance, the hall being crowded to excess. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and on the platform, amongst others, were Messrs. E. G. Weight, Ick, A. Duncan, H. Thomson, W. R. Mitchell, J. Jcbson, J. Gr. Hawkes, B. Cass, &c. The Mayor said that this meeting had been convened by him at the request of several citizens, who had forwarded a requisition, which he would read. [Ecad.] He would ask those present to give their best attention to the various speakers. He would now call upon Mr J. P. Jameson to propose the first resolution. Mr Jameson said that the resolution which he had been asked to propose that evening was a very simple one. It was also one which would commend itself at once to those present from its reasonableness. The resolution was as follows: — That this meeting of citizens desires to draw the attention of the Government to the present unsatisfactory state of trade, and to urge upon the Government the necessity of fostering, as far as possible, the manufacture of all ironwork, woodwork, and other materials required for the public works of the colony. Tt would be seen that the resolution was couched in very reasonable and respectful language, such as no one could take exception to. There was an excellent reason that this should bo so, because the Parliament was looked upon as the guardian of the interests of the colony. The Government itself was a lai ge employer of labor, and had spent large sums of money, especially during the last few vears, on the public works. It was not therefore surprising, when they came to consider that to a large extent this expenditure had ceased, that there should now be a lull. 15y the resolution the Government was asked to consider this depression in trade as a reason why they should be urged to \ retain the spending of the public money ■ as much as possible in the colony. There was talent in the country to cany out any description of work —[hear, hear] —and there was scarcely an article which could be named as not being able to be manufactured here. [Cheers.] They had in their midst the raw material, which could by the aid of their artisans be manufactured as well, or nearly so, as at home. [Hear, hear.] There would, it, was true, be a slight difference in the cost, but when they came to consider the cost of importation the price of the colonially-madc article would be very nearly as low as that of the imported; If the money which was now being sent out of the colony was expended judiciously within it, it would go far to alle- . Viatc the present depressed state of trade. He did not think that for one> moment the Government could refuse to consider their request, because not only from here but also from other parts of the colony the same complaint was made. The Government he thought would, when the matter was brought before them, give it their earnest and speedy attention. It was not because trade was slack just now that the country was in any danger of going to the wall; indeed, he looked forward to the coming season as one in which a great proportien of the surplus labour would be absorbed. He thought that it would be very much better for those who were not liow employed to go upcjuntry, where, no doubt, they would find plenty of work. He would not detain them longer, but would simply beg to propose the resolution he had read. [Cheers.] Mr Ick, who came forward to second the motion, said that he had been requested to second the resolution at a very late period, but he had very great pleasure in doing so. It was, he considered, a step in the right direction, and one which should have been taken before. It had been too much the fashion to depreciate colonial manufactures and to say that here we were unable to make articles as cheaply as they could be imported. He could however point out to them many industries in work here, the articles turned out from which were as good as any imported from home. He referred especially to agricultural implements, but the same might be 6aid of many other industries. It was only a few years ago since the factory at the Taieri—known as the Mosgiel—was established for the manufacture of woollen goods, &c. Since then it had grown, and now its goods were equal to any-

thing produced in the old country at a similar cost. Industries like these could be made to pay, but they required fostering by the G-overnment, and. this was what they now asked. He saw no reason why, when they had the raw material here, that they should send home for it, and pay the expense of carriage, &c. If the industries he had spoken of could be made payable, so could others such as the manufacture of rolling stock, carriages, &c, for railways, quite as well as importing the foreign article. If they required an example of the apathy of the present G-overnment, they had not far to seek. Mr Wason, he believed, in the last session moved that the Government should utilise the coal of the country. This session Mr Burns asked what had been done, and one of the Ministers had replied that nothing had been done, as there had been no samples sent in. This was a most lame and impotent excuse, as if the Government wished to foster this industry they could soon have got samples. He believed that some £60,000 per annum was sent out of the colony for coals alone, and yet they had in their midst a large supply of good coal. [Hear, hear.] Then, again, there was another example. The District Drainage Board required a number of drain pipes, and though it was proved to the satisfaction of all that the colonially-made article was as good as the imported, their engineer recommended that they should send home for them. This hardly looked like fostering local industries, and he was quite unaware of the reasons which had induced them to do this. [Cheers.] He wished now to say a few words to those before him on a delicate subject. If a contractor had to take a contract he had to contend with many difficulties, viz., the high price of labour, &c. He know a person who had a large contract for clothing, but who could not have taken it had the high price of labour continued. He put it before his workmen, and they, though not wishing to take a reduced rate of wages, yet made an arrangement with him by which they had the use of his machinery, and the contract was kept in the colony. In many instances when a contractor had a large contract in view, the workmen wished for higher wages, and thus prevented the contract being taken. What he wanted to sec was a better feeling of reciprocity between employers and employed. He trusted most earnestly that there "would bo nothing like strikes here. In England he had seen the crils of them. The objects of this movement, had his warmest sympathy, and no doubt would be successful if urged, as Mr Jameson had said, in a good spirit. [Cheers.J Mr Jebson said he did not think it was much use going to the Government and asking them to support these industries without some cogent reasons to give them. He hoped they would recollect, however, that they must respect the powers that be. But the first ground that they ought to take was, that the Government having spent a large sum of money in importing labor —some £150,000 —they should be 'asked to cease importing those articles which could bo manufactured in the colony. [Loud cheers]. This, he took it, was a reasonable proposition. He might be told that they should have free trade in labor as well as anything else, and he said that this was right, but he did say that when the Government brought labor to such an extent into the 'country it was imperative on them to sec that this labor was made profitably to the State. [Hear, hear.] The Government were asked to foster the industries of wood and iron working, and he asserted that unless these were fostered no other industries would thrive. The possession of real estate in the hands of a few persons was not the way to make a great country. [Hear, hear.] It was a very good thing no doubt to have real estate, but while they were doing this they could not enter into large works without machinery. Well, if they had to send to Melbourne or England for machinery, there were numberless difficulties in the way of setting it to work. He took it that the reason why colonial manufactures were not successful was that they were not encouraged. Then he would ask the artisans engaged in the production of the machinery whether they would be prepared to supply to-morrow any amount of machinery the Government required. ["Yes, yes."] Well, upon the reply they made to this question would depend the answer of . the Government. Then what he said was this, that they could at once say that they could carry out all the works of the Government if 1 hey would give them a guarantee that they should have the work of the colony, not for a month, not for a trial, but for perpetuity. [Cheers.] If the establishments now here were not able to do the work they would soon see that a jointstock company would be Jloated, and the articles produced here cheaper and better than in any part of the world. They had a right to demand from the Government that they should have the work, as they had been brought 16,000 miles to make their home here. [Loud cheers.] He contended that the engine plant on the railways was almost constantly under repair, and what he wanted to ask them was this, that if they imported the raw materials, could they not make as good a locomotive as could be imported ? He said they could, and if they did not thou they had no right to ask the Government to foster their industries. What they should say to the Government was, that if they would guarantee them their work they would turn out as good work as any that could be turned out at home. [Hisses.] He heard the voice of a bird called the goose ; if the J parties who hissed could conti-overt his statements let them do it. [Cheers.] He said that the artisans of New Zealand were quite equal to turning out work as good as any part of the world. [Cheers.] But then there was another difficulty. The Government were establishing manufactories in various parts of the colony, and if they had a Government who was at the same time importers of labour and the manufacturers and importers of what they wanted, he thought it was a grand mistake. He contended that the Government should not go beyond their own repairs on the lines, as beyond this was going outside good Government. [Cheers.] The resolution spoke of the workers in wood. Well, with an almost unlimited stock of wood here they had gone to the four quarters of the; globe to get a piece of wood for a sleeper. They ought to utilise their own resources in the matter of wood. If they did not last then they had plenty more to replace them. As to trucks he believed their wood was being utilised, but how many were there ? Only a few. But supposing they had made all their trucks here, what would have been the result ? Why that they would have employed their labour and spent the large amount of money they had sent home in their midst. [Cheers.] These were the) reasons why he supported the resolution as" to the manufacturers in wood and iron. As to the iron, he eaid this distinctly

that this country was as rich in iron ore as any part of the world. He distinctly stated that in parts of this district there had been developed mineral wealth equal to that of the Cleveland Hills in Yorkshire. But they lacked capital to develop then- resources, and until their manufacturing resources were developed they could not hope to do it. He trusted they would all think this matter over. They had a number of societies. Why could they not put the money of these societies into a joint stock concern, and go in to develop their local industries. They could find plenty of money for land, and they had nearly a quarter of a million in the Savings' Banks, but their industries were languishing for want of capital. What the Government should do was to give a respectable bonus for local productions. Let them give the manufacturer an order once a month, say instead of once every six months, or once a year. It was the want of this continuance that was killing their local industries, and the development of them could not take place until this was done. [Cheers.] He had very much pleasure in supporting the resolution. [Cheers.] The Mayor said that a gentleman wished to address the meeting, and he would throw himself on the discretion of the .meeting whether he should be allowed to address them or not. [A Voice—" Name, name."] Well, the name of that gentleman was Mr J. McLaren. [Loud cries of "Yes, yes," and "No, no."] He might say that he wanted the gentlemen who addressed the meeting to be those who would command attention. In Dunedin Mr McLaren addressing meetings had been the means of losing the effect of them. This was too important to the best interest of Christclnu'ch to allow this to be done. [Hear, hear.] He would now ask the meeting to decide whether Mr McLaren should speak or not. The Mayor then called for a show of hands, which resulted in it being decided that Mr McLaren shoidd not be heard. Mr McLaren —I claim a division. [Laughter.] I am in order in claiming a division. The Mayor then put the resolution, and declared it to be carried unanimously. Mr McLaren then left the hall amid the mingled cheers and hisses of the assemblage. Mr Jcbson said that while no doubt so renowned and eloquent a gentleman as Mr McLaren might; desire to address them, the Mayor had before him a list of speakers from which he could not depart. The conveners of that meeting had done so with a specific object in view, but there was nothing to prevent Mr McLaren after the present meeting was over, if the authorities of the Hall would allow him, having another meeting, and passing whatever resolution he thought proper. [Cheers and laughter.] Mr Hawkes proposed the next resolution as follows: That in view of the greatly increased manufacturing power within the colony, this meeting is of opinion that the Colonial Legislature might with advantage adopt the resolution passed by the Provincial Council of Canterbury in August, 1871, viz.— " That in the opinion of this colony it is desirable that railway and other plant or materials should be obtained within the province when this can be done at a cost not exceeding 10 per cent, above that at which the same can be imported, and that public tenders be invited for the same." In the course of his remarks he went over much of the ground travelled by the preceding speakers. He contended that the Government and the Parliament, if properly approached, »would heartily concur in what they required. Mr Walker said he should like one of the speakers to tell them why it was their manufacturers could not make the common drays going about the streets. Mr A. Duncan said he supported the resolution with much pleasure, because he had taken a large share in the introduction of a large number of persons into the colony. He was not ashamed to say this, because he had induced the finest lot of mechanics that ever was seen to come out here. What they wanted was a fair field and no favor. Christchurch had, say a population of 12,000, but if the G-overnment gave them what they wanted it woidd increase to say 18,000, and this addition to the consolidated revenue would be far above the 10 per cent they would ask from the Government in the meantime. They shoidd go to the Government with a united front and ask, with the Dunedin and Auckland manufacturers, that the Government should give them a prior chance of doing their work. [Cheers.] In reply to a question from some one in the Hall, Mr Duncan said that, as regarded the question of drain pipes for the Drainage Board, there had been a committee appointed to send to all the local manufacturers and to the home ones also to send in prices for pipes. They • had received offers from Austin and Kirk, Mr Neighbours, and others, and he thought he might go so far as to say that, even if the price of the locally-made article was 10 per cent, or 15 per cent, more than the home ones, the Board would have those made in the place. [Cheers.] Mr B. Cass said that the agitation in the colony on this subject was a sign of the advancement of it. They were progressing in their manufactories, which now only required the fostering aid of the Government to develop into firmly grounded institutions. They were able to manufacture everything that they might be required to furnish for the use of the Government, and therefore they had a right to ask that instead of sending large sums of money to England it should be spent amongst them. The question now was that thcJGovernment should be askedto'put in the hands of the large manufacturers orders for works required. This would result in a large sum of money being spent in the colony instead of being sent home. By doing this everyone would reap a benefit, the artisan and the trading community alike. It might be urged that by doing this the Government would be enriching a few manufacturers. Perhaps they might, but still, so long as the country was benefited, what did it matter if the manufacturers were enriched ? [The audience here exhibited signs of weariness, aud the speaker sat down.] The resolution was then put, and carried unanimously. Mr H. Thomson moved the next resolution as follows : That this meeting views the importation by tlic Government of manufactured articles which can bo produced with advantage within the colony as an injury to the general interest of the community. He deprecated having any knowledge on the subject, but he held that it was the duty of every person to do all that they could in support of what was for the benefit of their ' fellow colonists. [Cheers.] The resolution fortunately was one which at once commended itself to them, and therefore did not require any long speech from him. The resolution was, he held, founded on justice. They did not ask th* importation of articles

to be entirely stopped, and the manufacturing of them done here at any cost. But they did ask, and they had a right to do so, that articles that could be manufactured here with advantage should be so. The fact that to import article? which could be produced here was an injury to the country was evident at once. They all knew they had a large debt, and it was the duty of the Government so to foster their local industries as to enable all to bear their share of the taxation. He urged upon them the necessity of passing the resolution unanimously, which would give it more importance than any speaker could. [Cheers.] Mr Wynn Williams said that he seconded the resolution with very great pleasure. He did not know uiuch]about the manufactures in wood or iron, but he flattered himself that he was as wide-awake to his own interests as any one in that room. [Cheers and laughter.] The fact was this was a, matter which affected every one, no matter what his calling or profession might be. He (Mr Williams) had told the promoters of this meeting that he should have liked to have heard them express their views on the platform themselves. He knew they possessed sufficient intelligence, and beyond this they would be speaking on a subject with which they were thoroughly conversant. [Hear, hear.] One reason why the G-overnment should be asked to accede to what they required was that they were self evident on the face of them. No one could say, if they were carried, but that they would not be of advantage to the colony. They all know the advantage of carrying out works amongst themselves, and they had on the platform a gentleman who was a living instance of the good effects of this. [Hear, hear.] He had urged upon Sir Julius Vogel the necessity of putting the rail%vay works into the hands of local contractors. But Sir Julius was totally opposed to this, and it was only after some time that he did it. Now the profits received by the local contractors had gone back into the public chest, and had been expended on land. If the whole of the lines had been made by English capitalists the money thus expended in the colony would have been spent in England. So also as regarded their manufactures. If Mr Anderson had been able to produce a steam roller, instead of the City Council going home for it, the colony would have benefited, because the money paid for it would be spent in it and not go to England. They must recollect, however, that they had the interest of those ongaged in importing to contend with, many of whom were members of the House of Representatives.. Let this be as it may, he would also desire to point out that from his own experience he knew that on one article he had sent, for, which could not be produced here, the deduction had been equal to 20 per cent. That is, he would have had if he ordered it through a merchant here to pay 20 per cent, more than he actually did. He had understood Mr Jcbson to mean that what he wanted to see was the Government giving a guarantee, either to a manufacturer or a joint-stock company, that they would give them all their woi'ks for years, and not as a trial. This was quite right. No man could establish a largo manufactory for simply trial orders. But if they had the large orders of the Government guaranteed to them then they would bo perfectly able to turn out the work as well as in England. The men were as skilful as at home; inneed they improved by coming here. He knew many who had come out here who were so much improved that their own mother and father would not recognise them. [Cheers and laughter.] Therefore, he held that the Government should foster to the best of their ability the local industries of the colony. If they did this there would be room for a large and prosperous population. But if the Government, with a large debt hanging over us, persisted in sending large sums out of the colony for articles which could be made here, there could be no doubt but tha they would have seasons of depression in the labor mai-ket. He trusted that when the Government saw the resolutions which had been passed here and elsewhere that they would see their way clear to keep the money in the country. [Cheers.] The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. Mr W. E. Mitchell moved — That the chairman of this meeting be requested to forward copies of the foregoing resolutions to the Minister for Public Works, to the members of the House of Representatives for the provincial district of Canterbury, and to the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch. Mr B. Cass seconded the]motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr W. Sneddon moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor and the speakers, which was carried amid acclamations, and the meeting concluded.