TRADE PROTECTION.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1681, 10 July 1879, Page 3

TRADE PROTECTION.

A meeting of coachmakoro, smiths, wheel wrights, and other tradesmen, was held on Wednesday tvtning at the Commercial Hotel. After waiting some time past the advertised hour of meeting, there were seventeen persons present. Mr Moor was elected to the chair, and he stated that the object of the meeting was to consider what steps should be taken to protect colonial industry, so as to give skilled labor a chance of competing with foreign capital aud enterprise. He said that great necessity existed for adopting some measures in the direction indicated, as many trades were now suffering from the unequal competition, particularly the coachbuildors, numbers of whom were very hard pressed, and out of employment, simply because employers could not compete with the American markets, which had the advantage of machinery, large capital, and cheap labor. Several of those present spoke in the same strain, and the matter was fully discussed, Mr Banks taking an opposite view to that expressed by the chairman, and supporting free trade principles. Mr Bradley moved be appointed to wait on Mr Montgomery, to ascertain whether he would advocate the imposition of an increased duty on imported manufactures.” It was pointed out that as Mr Montgomery represented Akaroa, this might be taken by the Christchurch members as a slight. Mr Banks thought the motion premature, as a subject of such importance should be well ventilated, and any motion indicated should come from a more influential meeting. He moved as an amendment —“ That in the first place, a committee be appointed to see if it is desirable to call a meeting for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of petitioning Parliament to impose a protective duty wherever required.” The amendment was seconded by Mr Fisher and carried. The following were appointed a committee Messrs Howland, Glanville, Moor, Reid, Banks, Curlett, Duncan, Scott, Johnson, and Jones, with power to add to their number. The chairman represented that there were five on the committee representing the coach building interest and flYe representing other trades. On the motion of Mr Banks, it was resolved that the committee call a public meeting as soon as advisable. The meeting then adjourned.