PROTECTION OF NATIVE INDUSTRIES.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1916, 15 April 1880, Page 3

PROTECTION OF NATIVE INDUSTRIES.

A special general meeting of the members of the Association for the Postering and Encouragement of Native Productions and Industries was held on Wednesday in the Congregational schoolroom, Manchester street. The president, Mr Robert Allan occupied the chair. The president slated that the meeting had been called for the purpose of ventilating what had been done by the association since its formation. Ho congratulated the meeting on the fact that they had been the means of calling public attention to the resources of the colony that were capable of development. They hid also had the opportunity of communicating their ideas before their representatives in Parliament, and laying their views on the tariff before Government. The outcome of this would be that in the course of a year or two groat improvements might be looked for even with the present tariff. The association had not advocated excessive taxation, but only sufficient to meet the end in view, and he was of opinion that from 15 to 20 per cent, was sufficient to prevent an importer from swamping the market, and at the same time enough to compel him to improve the standard of colonial production and keep making progress. An excessive taxation would defeat these objects. Ho next referred to the period of depression the colony had just passed through, which was partly attributable by some to bad harvests, and by others to the statistics published by the Government of their exports and imports, which had exhibited the colony in an unfavorable light. It had been shown that Now Zealand had the greatest amount of imports and the smallest of exports of all the colonies except Tasmania, while it was the last that was able to afford to be in that position. It was this state of things that the association sought to remedy. The colony had a grand future in their undeveloped resources, such as sugar boot, farina, and other products. Since their report had been printed a Royal Jommission had been appointed, but its value would greatly depend on the quality of its members. He bilirvod that they had put hem-:elves into communication with some of the Chambers of Commerce and other public bodies, but up to the present they had not recognised the existence of the association. He would now ask the secretary to submit the report, which, perhaps, the meeting would take as read.

The report was then read. Wo regret that we have not spa c for the whole, but the following extracts will be read with in(srest:

It is a retiree of gratification to know that our railw ys are now being worked entirely with native coil, and we understand with satisfactory results to the department. The now twine reapois and binders introduced iato the colony bid fair to become a thorough -.access, and should they come into general

use during the next three or four years, will be the means of giving life to what will lie a new industry, viz , the in nnfacturo of the twine, nil if used generally would require 500 to OOOt-ns of twine annually. This twine can be well made

i rom the native 11 x, and du ing I ho recent trills of the machines ous of the exhibitors used this ■■lasarf twine with entire s .tisfactioa. Under present arrangements twine pays s duty of 15 per cent. ; and wo understand some o" tho importers ~f the machine Intend to ngi'atc for having it put on tho free Hit; but as we are confident that, iu having the raw material o i tho spot, and knowing that many of the farmers have expressed an opinion favourable to flax twine, and also knowing that three or four manufacturers of cordage and twine are now laying themselves out to make the necessary twine, wo shall deem it our duty to take, steps to endeavour to prevent the dnty from being repealed. The m inufac-■ur-.rs interested have already ha 1 a meeting on the subject, and have sent a report to the associ-

J atiou to the effect that should the twine for the I reapers and binders bo made in the colony, it would employ at least from to COO men and boys, and the number would ho increased as more land was brought under cultivation. We desire to express an opinion that this association can be fairly congratulated on the progress it has made, and wo may without egotism say that this and the kindred associations in Dunedin, Wellington, and Auckland have become in a measure a “ power in the State.” Your committee have not seen any reason to change their views on the subject of encouragement to local industries, but, on the contrary, observation of what is taking place in other countries only servos to strengthen their opinion, and even with the present tariff, and a prosperous year throughout tho colony, we have no doubt that a considerable impetus will be given to manufacturing interests. A communication was received from the Wellington association on the subject of an International Exhibition for New Zealand ; . the matter was carefully considered in committee, and the following forwarded in reply “W. H. Warren, Esq., Secretary Local Industries Association, Wellington, “ Your letter of November 26th, re holding a competitive Exhibition of the productions of all nations, has been very carefully considered by the committee of our association, .and I am instructed to forward copy of resolution adopted in reply : * *f hat this committee are of opinion, while strongly sympathising with the proposed movement, that in the present depressed state of the colony, and tho uncertainty at this moment what the Government intentions are as to the encouragement of local industries, that. the time has not yet arrived for taking any definite action in tho matter ; but should tho Government feel disposed to largely subsidise a proposal o* tins nature, we shall be most happy, in conjunction with other Industrial Association*, to further disenss the matter, in order that the same may be brought to a successful issue.’ It was suggested that an Inter-Colonial Exhibition held two or three years hence, would probably prove a greater success than an International onsuow, both pecuniarily at the time, and in the ultimate advantages that might be expected to accrue.” Your committee, learning that the Government intended placing a duty upon salt, called a special meeting to consider the matter, and forwarded a telegram to Messrs Stevens, Montgomery, and Richardson, which resulted in its again being placed on the free list. It will be a source of gratification to most of yon to learn that the association has now over 400 members on its roll, among whom are some of the largest employers in the province ; and the Committee hope that the members will endeavour by every means in their power to increase the numerical strength of the Association. Your committee trust that each member of the association will still continue to take the same active interest that they have hitherto displayed, and will endeavour to enlist the sympathies of others in the cause. Appended to the report were tho recommendations to the Government from the various Trades and Industries, with suggestions for alterations and variations in the tariff.

In moving tho adoption of the report, Mr J. P. Jameson said that it was tho first time ho had attended the meetings of the association, in whose objects he fully concurred. It appeared to him that the finances of the colony demanded the fullest development of its resources, and those resources were far greater than was generally imagined. He referred to the utilisation of New Zealand granite for the ornamentation of the public buildings, and instanced its adoption for the front of tho new college buildings. With regard to agriculture he deprecated the vast export of wheat as a loss to the country. This pointed to the necessity of fostering other industries, and it was for them to think what could be done in this direction. Farina and tho sugar beet had been mentioned, and he thought felt, which was extensively used for many purposes could be made in the colony. Then, again, there was cement, a most profitable article of commerce, and tho materials for its manufacture were plentiful in tho colony, as wolk as clay, admirably adapted for drain pipes and other articles of pottery. The surest way to stimulate native industries was to consume their own productions. Many ’products hitherto neglected were suitable for local use, for one purpose if not for another. Ho had only to mention the Malvern coal, which, if not available for every purpose for which coal was needed, was for certain special purposes the very best that could be found. With those remarks he would move tho adoption of the report. Mr Espinett quite agreed with what had fallen from Mr Jameson, and would second tho adoption of the report. The motion was put, and carried unanimc tisly.

The President, referring to the remarks of Mr Jameson on the practicability of manufacturing cement, exhibited to the meeting a specimen of chalk from Oxford, which had been laid on the table by Mr Charters, and was exactly suitable for the purpose ar d very plentiful. The discovery of such articles should, in his opinion, be encouraged by bonuses given by the Q-overnment. At the request of the meeting the president explained the action of the Drainage Board with regard to the recent contract for drainage pipes. Some persons had remarked upon the very few meetings that bad been held by the Association, but he hoped that would not bo the case for the future, and the reading and dis cussing of interesting and instructive papers would form a valuable feature in them.

Mr Doyle made a few remarks referring to the habit of the Banks and also of the Government in importing their lithographic printed forms, which, he contended, could and ought to be done in the colony. Mr Waller spoke condemnatory of the action of the Drainage Board in the matter of the drainage pipe contract, and suggested that a month before their expiry of office the Association should hold a meeting for the purpose of taking such action as would ensure the return of suitable members.

Mr Charters said a public meeting would shortly be called for the purpose of considering the action of the Drainage Board with reference to the matter under discussion. The announcement was received with applause. Mr Wood said the ends the association had in view would be forwarded by an accession of members, and ho thought that every one that could join should recommend his friends to do likewise.

The President in reply, said the Association now numbered 400 members, and was daily increasing in strength. Mr Draper suggested that the delivery of occasional lectures on suitable subjects would be of great practical value. The President concurred in that opinion, and thought that Professor Bickerton would be happy, if asked, to assist in this direction. After some further conversation, the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.