INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2412, 28 December 1881, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the committee of this association was held last Tuesday, in the rooms of the association, Hereford street. Present— Mr J. P. Jameson, president. Messrs A. Q. Howland, W. Bates, B. W. England, W. H. Espenett, A. Kirk, T. O. Kelsey, and Buchanan.

The President, in opening the meeting, expressed his pleasure at again occupying hie present position. He was gratified that the causes which had led to bis resignation had disappeared, and hoped that henceforward the members of the association intended to go peaceably and loyally to work. On a conclusion being arrived at by the majority, he trusted the minority would sink their private opinions, and endeavor to work harmoniously for the good of the association. They were all unanimous in a desire to foster local industries, but differed slightly in the mode of achieving the object in view, which was to secure a good display of local products, and derive as much advantage as possible from the approaching exhibition. As they wore aware a committee of citizens had been formed, numbering twenty members, for the purpose of inducing manufacturers and others to exhibit. The wisest course to adopt would be to utilize the power of that committee by asking it to amalgamate with the committee of the association, so that both might work together. It would be necessary then to appoint subcommittees to take up different departments or branches. He might state for the information of persons desirous of claiming bonuses that notice of their intention must be sent in before the end of the year.

Mr Howland, referring to the suggestion to amalgamate, said the feeling of the committee of the association was that while they Would be pleased to accept assistance from the citizens’ committee, yet they were not disposed to move from their position, which was that of carrying out the resolution of the association to the effect that the best possible display should be made of local industries. The President thought that in the interests of the association it would be advisable to ask the citizens’ committee to amalgamate with them, because they could not themselves do all the work that would be necessary.

Mr England did not quite agree with Mr Howland’s explanation of tho feeling of the committee. They did not care about being absorbed into the other body, but were quite willing that the two oommitteea should amalgamate and work together on equal terms. This, ho thought, it would be desirable to do.

Mr Kelsey said he would move that the committee of tho Industrial Association invito the committee of citizens to co-operate with them re the proposed exhibition. Mr Espenett agreed with this suggestion, and was in favor of the two committees amalgamating and working together.

Mr Kirk said it was the duty of the committee of tho association to carry out tho resolution which had been entrusted to it, and not hand the matter over to any other body. If the citizens’ committee wished to assist, well and good, but they could not throw over the resolution relegated to them by the association. Ho wished to ask the president if it was consistent for him to preside over the two committees ? The President said it would be inconsistent for him to be chairman of both committees if they were acting antagonistic to each other ; but ho had accepted the two positions, believing that the views of the two bodies wore identical and that they might merge together. Mr Howland asked what steps the citizens’ committee had taken in regard to the exhibition P

Tho President explained that not wishing to clash in any way with the committee of the Association they bad been holding their hand, anticipating that the latter would take the matter up warmly and co-operate.

Mr Kelsey said the motion he had previously moved had not been seconded, and he would alter its form as follows—“ That the existing sub-committee re the exhibition be dissolved, and that the committee of the Industrial Association hereby invites the citizens’ committee to co-operate with them in the matter.” If this were passed there could then bo a meeting of the forty gentlemen constituting the two committees, and they would form themselves into working sub-committees, Mr Espenett seconded the motion. If it were carried there would then be one body with one head.

Mr England expressed bis agreement with the resolution, particularly as be had' been given to understand at last meeting that the committee would have nothing to do with allotting space and arranging exhibits. The President thought it right to explain in reference to that point that tho citizens’ committee were acting quite independently of Messrs Joubert and Twopeny, and bad no conneetion whatever with the promoters. Mr Kelsey said the joint committee would have to bring pressure to bear upon the promoters to enlarge the space allotted to New Zealand, as the proportion sot apart—onefifth—would be quite inadequate, the local agent having already received applications for all tho space at his disposal.

Mr Kirk said he would not oppose the resolution, but hoped that the members of the late committee, who were also on the citizens’ committee, would drop all bickering and ill-feeling, and endeavor to work more harmoniously than they had previously done. Mr Howland could not help agreeing that some such feeling had existed as that referred to by the last speaker. It seemed as if, because the retiring committee could not get their own way, they desired to break the whole thing up. Therefore he hoped that when the two committees came together they would adhere to the rules of the association and carry them out. Mr Kelsey remarked that this was an old sore, and had better not be reopened. The resolution was then agreed to unanimously. The President said he would lose no time in conveying it to the citizens’ committee, who fie was sure would be happy to co-operate.

A letter was read from Mr Howland, calling attention to inequalities and defects in the present railway tariff. It was decided that the letter should be brought under the notice of the Government. It was resolved that the committee should in future meet every alternate Tuesday at half-past seven o’clock, and that the first meeting of the joint committee should take place next Tuesday evening at halt-past seven o’clock.