INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2711, 15 December 1882, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION

A meeting of the committee of this association was held at their rooms, Hereford street, last night. Present —Messrs A. G. Howland (in the chair), Curlett, Sheath, Kelsey, England, Smith, Hale, and others. The Chairman intimated that Messrs Jones and Thomas had been nominated as members of the committee, and in the absence of opposition declared them duly elected. Several apologies for non-attendance were received. The Chairman reported the result of the meeting of their deputation with the Minister of Public Works. Apropos to this subject, the chairman had visited the Government workshops lately, and while compelled to admit that a firstclass manufactory existed for the building o c waggons and other carriages, the fact was forcibly borne in on him that the Government, out of borrowed money, of which all had to bear the burden, were simply setting up as formidable competitors to the legitimate tradesman. He was surprised to find that nobody could give any account of the comparative cost of rolling stock imported and locally made. As having experience in such matters, he thought greatniistakes were being made inthechoice of materials in the workshops. Mr England also gavesomeinformation as to the result of the deputation. He said that consideration of the amended railway tariff revealed the fact that the reduction on the charges on coal, fire clay, &c, from the pits, referred only to 'through first carriages. There was a reduction of 15 per cent., say from Sheffield to Christchurch, but there was no allowance for any unloaded at intermediate stations, or on any reshipment. Mr Kirk said that a merchant in Christchurch had sold a quantity of Malvern coals to go to a place down country. He made his price, calculating on getting the 15 per cent, reduction on freight, but to his astonishment he found that he had to pay old rates, and thus made a dead loss. It was resolved to lay the matter again before the Government urging the making of real reductions in the tariff, which reductions are daily becoming more necessary. Mr Kelsey suggested that sub-committees should be appointed, each to take up a particular trade, to ascertain what reductions they severally required, and to recommend the proper steps necessary to obtain them. Finally it was resolved to write to the Government at once, asking that the 15 per cent, reduction on the carriage of native coals, &c, be made applicable to all re-carriages of the Eame. Mr Howland moved a resolution to the effect that the Government be urged to manufacture in the colony all the rolling stock and machinery that can possibly be undertaken here. The mover briefly pointed out how far this could now be done, and the advantages to accrue from the change. Mr Buchanan seconded the motion. He said that it seemed to him the Government were taking up that line already. The chairman had referred, earlier in the evening, to the evils of having the Government as competitor. All work that could bo should be done in New Zealand, but should go to public tender. Mr England spoke in the same strain : it was hopeless to attempt to compete with Government, who not only took the work from other people, but took the workmen too, and kept them at such fancy wages as were quite out of the roach of private firms, and this out of the money got from the very men they crowded out. Mr Kelsey said the accumulation of stores at the Government workshops was marvellous and ludicrous. The people in charge frequently got in lots of stuff and after getting it in altered their plans and put the stores required for those particular fancies, on the shelf. The motion was then I carried unanimously. Mr Federli interi viewed the committee in reference to sericiculture. He solicited the assistance of the association in distributing and encouraging the culture of mulberry trees. After several interesting particulars as to the progress of the industry had been elicited, it w"is resolved to postpone the answer to Mr Pederli till next meeting. Letters were read from Mr J. P. Olliver, recommending his New Zealand wines. Of these wines, which were from the products of the vineyards of Mr Soler, of Wanganui, there were samples on the table, they were handed round, and very favorable opinions as to their quality were expressed. From Mr J. Armishaw, drawing attention to his disinfecting fluid; the sample was pronounced to be good. From Mr li. Buchanan, stating that he was prepared to make castings up to fifty tons in weight each piece. From the Colonial Secretary re giving a bonus for the discovery of a diamond Held. The matter had been referred to the Minister for Mine 3. The Kailway League wrote, asking for pecuniary support. In this matter a committee, consisting of the president, Messrs Banks, England, and Sheath, to consider the question, and report at next general meeting, on December 2Sth. The committee then adjourned.