INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2090, 4 November 1880, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the members of this Association was held in the offices, Hereford street East, on Wednesday, Mr J. P. Jameson in the chair. A number of routine matters requiring attention were considered and dealt with, and a letter was received from Messrs Moor and do. intimating that the new tramcar built at their local establishment was finished, and inviting the committee of the Association to inspect it on the premises. A resolution was passed accepting the invitation. At the conclusion of tho business portion of the programme, Mr Jameson gave a reading on the subject of our colonial industries, being, in fact, a carefully prepared synopsis of a report by the Commission on Colonial Industries. Contained in it were important passages from the various communications sent to the Commission and embodied in their report, culled and condensed with a view of showing clearly and the direction in which the various suggestions, as well as the evidence, tended to the promotion of local trade and manufactures. He pointed out that the principles of protection seemed to bo supported and shadowed forth by tho report, and they had their own experience to tell them that the increased duties had already operated favorably in the development of some New Zealand manufactures. Proceeding with his subject, Mr Jameson urged, on behalf of colonial industries, that in order to effect their establishment on a permanent and satisfactory basis, they must be heartily supported and consumption encouraged in every way, so that the quantities produced should be larger, which would affect the prices favorably so far as the consumer was concerned. Of one item he made special mention as deserving of encouragement, namely—the manufacture of sulphuric acid, that being one of the most important manufactures we had to deal with, and affecting various branches of industry to a greater extent perhaps than any other. Mr Jameson treated his subject exhaustively, and the reading proved exceedingly interesting. Professor Bickerton also gave a reading on the arts and science departments, showing what was being done in that direction in England, and what important results bad followed the establishment of the institution in the old country. He suggested that a scheme should be prepared by the committee, with a view of bringing the matter before the Government. The following resolution was passed : “ That it be a recommendation to the committee to prepare a scheme for the establishment of a science and art department, and that they communicate with other kindred societies, with a view to bring the matter before the Government.” The meeting then broke up.