INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2311, 31 August 1881, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

The annual general meeting of the Industrial Association was held last evening, Mr Allan, president, in the chair. Some business of an ordinary character came before the meeting prior to that of the annual meeting. A sample of Fearlina was forwarded by Mr J. H. Clayton, agent for Messrs J. Gibson and Co., of Dune-din. The annual report was as follows : Your committee beg to submit the following report:

1. In accordance with your instructions, a permanent office has been secured, and suitably furnished and fitted for the reception of specimens of colonial productions. Members and the public are reminded that we have still accommodation for a large number of samples, either of colonial manufactures or natural productions. 2. Arrangements have been made for a regular supply of catalogues and papers relating to machinery of various kinds; and we have received from many sources papers containing information on subjects- of interest to manufacturers and the public generally. And your committee desire to make known the fact that the information collected is at the disposal of any person who may think proper to make use of it.

3 In accordance with a suggestion made, a book has been provided for the purpose of recording the names and addresses of artificers in various industries not already established here, for the information of those who mieht contemplate starting such industries. Thiregister has not been availed of to any extent, but your committee think that it would be were its existence better known.

4. The excessive rate charged by the railway on some special items was brought under notice, and especially the charges on New Zealand fibre, which was about double the rate for wool, and was a serious obstacle to its export. On bringing the matter before the authorities they at once reduced the rate to a fairer basis. The question of railway rates is one which requires to be constantly watched, as many an in ustry may be crushed by injudicious and excessive charges.

5. A special prize was offered by this Association, at the last Agricultural and Pastoral show, for reaper and binder twine, and Mr Roland Gould was the successful competitor. Prizes wore also offered for pickles and preserved fruits, and although no entries were then received, a pickle manufactory has since been started, and from the quality and good reputation of the articles produced, it is to bo hoped will prove a genuine success. The preserving of fruit is an industry which, up to this time, has not made any great progress ; but with the large j early increase of fruit tre' planting, and the general suitability of the New Zealand climate, this should developc into a flourishing business, and thus save to the colony many thousands a year now Eent out of it. 6. The snbject of the patent laws has engaged the attention of your committee. They have been able to supply information as to the existing state of the law to several applicants during, the past year, bnt have folt that a more simple Act was required ; and this was brought under the notice of the Royal Commission on Colonial Industries, and, indeed, from various parts of the coloay this necessity was referred to, and your committee are pleased to notice that the Government have introduced a Patent Laws Amendment Act. No particulars are yet to hand as to the nature of the proposed amend ments, but it is hoped they will contain some provision by which, in each large centre, any person can obtain information and assistance in procuring his patent, so as to do away with the necessity of employing agents and entering into a correspondence with Wellington. Probably the work could bo done by the Customs' authorities.

7. During the year, papers on various industrial subjects have been read, and your committee hope that this method of disseminating useful information will be largely availed of ; and they take this opportunity of inviting members or others to come forward, and in this way help the work of the association. One of the papers road was on " Technical Education." by Professor Bickerton, and this led to a desire on tho part of jour association to Fee that question given groater prominence to in our national system of education, and a scheme to attain this end was drafted by your committee ar.d forwarded to the Government, who have promised to take it into their consideration.

8. A suggestion having been mads to tho Soyal CommissUn and to the Government by Mr Federli, an Italian gentleman, that tli9 growth cf the silkworm could be successfully carried on in New Zealand, the Government have undertaken to give the industry a trial, and Mr Federli, who was selected to initiate tho ex periment, has taken up his residence temporarily in Ohristchurch with this object. Already, as i test, 500 white mulberry trees have been distributed, and further troeß and seeds are on their way, and your committeo understand from the mulberry trees at present growing in Canterbury, Mr Federli intends, on receipt of grain expected from Japan, to show that the industry is capable of being successfully established, and that notwithstanding the prejudice of English people on this particular subject,

your committee sincerely hope that this will prove the case, and are fortified- in their expectation by the great strides that Eericrculture is making in. the United States. 9 Some time since an attempt waß made to establish a company for the manufacture of cement, but some of the members of your committee and others, thinking this Etep was premature till successful experiments had been remdo with the materials iroposed to be used, obtained the appointment of a committee to conduct such cxp riments This cemmittee haa not yet reported, bat it is understood that up to the present time, although several samples have b en made, the re-ults are not thoroughly satisfactory, and further cxpriincnts aro contemplated. 10. During the year the Government offered bonuses for the following industries :—Sugar, linseed oil, oil cake, starch, silk, sulphuric acid, earthenware, sugar refining, gunpowder, butter or cheese produced in a factory worked on the American principle, and meat exported in vessels fitted with refrigerating machinery, and in reply to a question put by Mr Kichardson in the Hm-.e, the Government also jmcounced their intention to offer a bonus for gmss. Your committee teg to re-nind intendirg manufacturers that notice of their intention to c'aim any of these bonuses must be given to the Colonial Secretary beforeDecarrber 3!st next, andthes-ipn-lated conditions must be comp.ied with before June 30th, 1882. 11. No alterations have bee:) made in the Customs' tariff since the last annual meeting, but tho Kon. the Colonial Treasurer has intimitod his intention of remitting the duties on grey calicoes and moleskin in the piece, and in response to representations made by your committee, and others interested, he has further intimated his intention of remitting the duties on trimmings, linings, braids, buttons, and sundry itemß used in the manufacture of clothing. These remissions, if a«reed to by Parliament, will give a substantial help to the clothing industry, and as none of the items enumerated are likely to be produced in the colony (or many years, should meet with general approval.

12. The Select Committee of the HonEe of Representatives on Local Industries tave recommended that, with a view of extending the usefulness of the Geological Department,, the name should bo changed to that of tho Department of Science and Industrie*, and it ehould be charged with the duty cf collecting information and reporting to the Government from time to time the beßt means of establishing and encouraging the agricultural, mining, and manufacturing industries of the colony. Your committee warmly approve of this proposal, as it has long been felt that there ehould exist some department which sheuld give special attention to matters relating to industrial subjects. The same committee have also suggested the reintroductkra of the Distillation Act, wi h a differential duty of 6s per gallon in favor of the colonial article, to last for at leatt five years. This your committee consider a step in the right direction, and trust it will meet with the approval of Parliament, as a large sum is (.nuually sent abroad for spirits that could be well produced here, and. looking with the light of to day. it cannot but be matter for regret that Borne years age .£20,000 was actually paid by the country to crush what would by this time have been a most important industry; and the favorable conditions existing in the colony for such an industry can ba well understood when one thinks that since then oats have been as low as Is per bushel, and barley fit for distilling purposes 2s to 2a &1. The question of temperance, although a subject that must have the hearty approval of all right-thinking men, need not be discussed in dealing with this matter, for, while spirits aro consumed, it is better that the colony should reap the advantages to be derived from the manufacture rather than foreign countries. 13. Ycur committee aro pie ;sed to state that the established manufactories are on the whole thriving, and with the gradual improvement of the manufactures a growing demand exists. Several small manufactories have been established during the year, and there are numerous enquiries in various parts of the colony with a view to the estab ishment of others. In Oam&ru and Timaru woollen mills are contemplated. In Temuka steps have been taken to start a paper mill, and your committee had pleasure in placing at the disposal of the promoters the estimates and drawings of machinery obtained from Messrs Bertram and Sons, Edinburgh ; and it is to be hoped the venture will prove successful, as no less than .£60,000 is annually paid by the colony for printing paper alone. The Kaiapoi Woollen Company has now largely increased its machinery, and within three months the mill will be the largest in New Zealand, if not in the colonies, and the company is now erecting iu Christchurch extensive premises for the manufacture cf clothing, end it is expected that within a year they will have 200 to 300 hands engaged in that particular branch. The way one industry helps another is illustrated by the Kaiapoi Company having obtained by tender from Mesßrs Scott Bros, and Co. a6O-h p. compound engine, the largest yet attempted in the colony. Canterbury coal only ia need as fuel, about 200 tons per month being consumed. It is pleasant also to note that some of our public bodies and public companies realise the advantages of obtaining articles in the colony where practicable. The Canterbury Tramway Company have shown a good example in this respect by having their new cars locally made, and it is to be hoped the Government will follow the example of New South Wales by ordering any future railway plant iu the colony, and before many years it should be quite within the scope of the New Zealand engineers to construct the locomotives for our railways. 14. A Select Committee of the House of Representatives has recommended the establishment of a direct steam service from England. This should meet with the hearty approval of this association, as it has a most important bearing on the question of our future industrial development, as, if established, it will undoubtedly be tho meana of diverting to these shores some of the industrial skill and capital at present languishing in the old world, and which, in the absence of a direct service, flows naturally to the United States; and, as pointed out by the Select Coamittee, this ser.ica would mean a large cousumption of New Zealand coal.

15. At a recent meeting of your Association it was resolved that it is advisable to hold an Intercolonial Exhibition about the end of next year, and a subcommittee was formed to prepare a scheme This committee, although not yet having reported, approached the Government on the Bubject, a 3 a Colonial Exhibition meant a greater undertaking than could be well carried out without Government aid. All the Canterbury members were written to, and most of them undertook to do what they could to further the matter, but the Government, after consideration, have replied that as they have had to decline similar applications from other places, and looking at the large amount that would be reqaired to carry out creditably an Intercolonial Exhibition, they are uuible to carry out the proposed undertaking. The committee has again written to the Government, pointing out that it had not asked the Government to carry out the Exhibition, but to aEsist in the undertaking. No definite reply has been received. It is unfortunate that it shonld be necessary to ask for fuLds so long before they are actually required, as a good sum having been spent both for the b'ydney and Melbourne exhibitions, may have led the Government to think that the question of exhibitions was a too frequently recurring charge It is necessary to a3k for funds eighteen months before actually required, so th-it thn work of organising may be carried on. However, the sub committee are still working at the scheme, and there can be CO doubt that an exhibition will be held, and one that shall be a credit to the place. While on the matter of exhibitions it is most gratifying to refer to the honorable position occupied by this colony lit the Melbourne Exhibition, which can be beat understood when it i 3 known that New Ze iland obtained more first and second awards than New South Wales, a colony many years older, and with GO per cent, greater population. 16. A copy of the balance sheet is attached to this report, showing receipts, inclcaing balance brought forward, £5lB 17s Id, and expenditure £2\)7 13* 2d, leaving £MI 3s lid to credit; bnt it must be borne in mind that .£3OO of this sum is held by special resolution as a reserve for a future exhibition. \our committee would take this opportunity of inviting liberal subscriptions and hearty co operat on. The Chairman proposed the adoption of the report, and in rioins bo spoke of the value of industrial exhibitions with special reference to the Intercolonial Exhibition which was proposed to bs held. Mr Jarpieeon sugsofl'erl that the valuable oapera read by Mr George Gray or. the manufacture of cement should ho specially referred to in the report. —The Chairman agreed to introduce in the report mention of the papers spoken of.

In reply to a, q<;c-c'.ior, tho Ohairram stated that thcra was u credit balarco of £341 3s lid ; that was an amount of £ll in handover and above tho special resolution i.:-d ; the outstanding liabilities amounting lo £3O. The annual report was then adopted, and ordered to be printed for distribution among the members of the Association.—A cordial vote of thanks was passed to the com mil tee and officors of tho past year. The next business was tii? clec'i'-n c.f officers for the ensuing term, which resulted as follows :—President, Mr J. P. Jamie»on ; vice-presidents, Mr Holland and Dr. Haast; treasurer, Mr Banks; committee, Messrs Bobert Allan, Professor Bickertor, Peter Duncan, B. W. England, J. GlaETille, George B. Hart, O. P. Hulbert, O. Hull, F. Jenkins, W. 8. King, A. B. Kirk, H. B. Kirk, 8. Manning, W, B, Mitobell, T. G. Pascoe, H. J. Rote, .T. L. Scott, W. 8. Smith, Ejh. roomer, John WuMor, B. H. Wood. A iter passing the uavtal of thenHl" tli* meeting terminated,