INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2283, 27 July 1881, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

A mooting of the above was held last night, when there was a large attendance. Mr Robert Allan, the president of the association, occupied the chair. The President said that the principal business before the meeting that evening was the consideration of the desirableness of holding a future exhibition, which some of the public were of opinion should be decided upon at an early date. He would desire briefly to call attention to the history of exhibitions in this colony, and pointed out that the attendance at the Christchurch Exhibition had been fully equal to that of Dunedin. There was no intention of clashing with any other exhibition should it bo decided to be held, but he thought that the claims of Christchurch, if Government money was to be spent, should have great weight. There was no doubt of this, that the holding of an International Exhibition could not be carried out, as the cost to the colony would be too great. There was the largest population in New Zealand in a radius of ten miles from Christchurch, and therefore they could not put their light under a bushel. Christchurch was far more central than Dunedin, and if an intercolonial exhibition was held, it would bo by far the best place. As regarded the application by Dunedin for assistance to carry out an exhibition, it was not the first one made, as soon after the close of the recent exhibition in Christchurch application was made to the Government for assistance to hold an exhibition of colonial character in Christchurch, He should be glad to hear the opinions of members. Mr J. P. Jameson thought the time had now arrived when the claims of Christchurch as a place for holding an intercolonial exhibition should be pressed on the Government. Dunedin had just closed their exhibition, and he thought it was desirable that an exhibition should be held in another city. There was, in his opinion, no better place than Christchurch, and he would move—- “ That in the opinion of this association it is desirable to hold an intercolonial exhibition in Christchurch about the close of the year 1882.”

Dr. Von Haost suggested that some reference should be made in the resolution to the application made in September last to the Premier with reference to the intercolonial exhibition.

Mr Jameson agreed to do this, and prefaced his resolution by the following : —“ In accordance with the views expressed to the Government in September, 1880.” Mr Scott seconded the motion, which was put and carried unanimously as amended. Mr Jameson then moved—“ That a subcommittee be appointed to draw up a memorial to ask for a grant in aid of the proposed Exhibition.” The President thought they should first apply to the Government to ascertain their views on the subject before asking for aid. Mr Jameson said they required aid, and why should they not ask for it. Mr A. E. Kirk seconded the motion.

Mr Oherrill thought that the committee should, before going to the Government, report to the Association some scheme of the proposed Exhibition, as to its character, &e. This, he thought, was the most sensible way of going about the work. The Chairman was of the same opinion as Mr Oherrill.

Mr Jameson pointed out that while they were waiting for a possible scheme, the application of the Dunedin people was before Parliament, and the session would be closed. Mr J. A. Bird said that he thought it would be as well if the Association went before the Government with a definite scheme; they would bo perhaps far more likely to have a chance of obtaining what they required. Mr Oherrill said that he would put his into the form of an amendment, as follows That the sub-committee be requested to draw up a proposed scheme for an exhibition,”

Mr Scott could not see why both the propositions should not bo adopted. Let them pass Mr Jameson’s resolution and apply to the Government, in tho meanwhile the subcommittee, as proposed by Mr Oherrill, could be collecting the infor r ation, so as to have it ready for the Government when required. The _ President ruled that Mr Oberrill’s proposition was not an amendment. It could bo put afterwards as a further resolution, Mr Hulbert said that be would point out that the decision of the Government on the first resolution would guide the sub committee, because it would be perfectly useless to attempt to carry out an intercolonial exhibition without funds from tho Government. Tho sub-committee would, therefore, be wasting their labors (under Mr Oherrill’s resolution, unless they know what the Government were going to do. The President pointed out that Mr Hulbort’s objection would be met by adding tho words to Mr Oherrill’s resolution, “ to report so soon as the answer of the Government is received.”

Dr. Von Haast said that it was only natural that the Government should ask the association what they were going to do with the money, and what was the proposed scope of the exhibition. They should, therefore, be prepared to lay before the Government some information as to how the money was to be expended.

The President pointed out that the memorial contemplated by Mr Jameson’s motion would contain the greater part of the information referred to by Dr. Von Haast. Mr Oherrill urged the necessity of pushing on the work as early as possible, so as to put before the Government a complete scheme of what the association intended to do as regarded the exhibition. Dr. Von Haast pointed out that by the time the Government were ready to give them an answer their scheme would be ready. All that was necessary was at first to make an applioation in general terms to the Government, so as to save time, and when it was required their scheme might be ready. After some discussion, Mr Jameson’s resolution was carried unanimously. Mr Oherrill’s resolution was then put, seconded by Mr W. B. Smith, and carried. The following gentlemen were elected as the sub-committee to carry out the resolutions as passed—The President, Dr. Von Haast, Messrs Jenkins, Scott, and J. P. Jameson,

The President called attention to the fact that next month was their annual meeting, when the committee and officers for the ensuing year would have to be elected. The names of candidates would have to be posted up a week before the annual meeting. He might say the association would be glad to find members coming forward and giving papers, at their monthly meetings. Mr Foderli, he was glad to see, was present that night, and he might say that some 500 trees from Sydney had been distributed through the committee of the association, Mr Federli expected another 5000 trees shortly, and some seed from Japan. Mr Fedorli said that he was glad to find that there was so much interest taken in sericioulture here. The five hundred trees had been distributed to seventy applicants, so that they would see they had been well distributed throughout the district. He was glad to see this, as it augured well for the success of the experiment. On the suggestion of Dr. Yon Haast, it was resolved to send copies of the resolutions to the Canterbury members. In response to a question from Mr Hulbert, the President said he had communicated with the Government as to removing the duty from buttons, trimmings, linings, &c., used in the clothing factories, and ho had received an answer from the Government that this would be done. _ If this were carried out the clothing factories would receive a most substantial lift. The meeting then adjourned.