A PROTEST.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1925, Page 4

A PROTEST.

LOCAL INDUSTRY IGNOR ICD. 'WELLINGTON'. .In:'? The action of ill.- Kiiuonunn Departmout in accepting a tender for imported gramophones lor use in primary seliuols was roundly criticised at. a meeting of the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association to-night. and the organisation decided to co-operate with New Zealand manufacturers in arranging a deputation to the Ministers of Education and Industries and Commerce. A communication from a local firm plated the matter before the meeting.

The chairman, M.r L. T. Watkins, expressed ilie conviction that locally manufactured gramophones were equal to any imported machines, and the body should use its iiilluonoe to scthat the New Zealand article, provided it, could be manufacture at the cost of landing an imported gramophone; ami

was of the same quality, should 1 used.

M. |„ 15. Patridge said lie had pointed out previously that our industries were not flourishing as they should lie at the present time. New Zealand was becoming a nation of traders rather than one of manufacturers. It seemed a serious matter indeed if one branch of national education was advocating training youths to trades while another branch, as indicated by the letter before the meeting, was

making it impossible dor those boys to follow their occupations. “To-day.” continued the speaker, “we are training technical and scientific labour, and 1 am well informed when' I am told that- the schools do not know where they arc going place tin's;- youths. Professions ape; becoming the same as

they were in lS’.ll. when it was possible to get accountancy and clerical work done for practically nothing. It is not a matter of pounds, shillings and pence, but a matter of general benefit to tin- Dominion, that locally mad" goods should lie fostered. Even il the articles cosi a little more, we would still be employing labour in the Dominion and. :c well. .spending the money here.”

Mr V. \V. Vossclor said lie considered that comleiiiiiiation of the New Zealand article and preference for the imported must make a big impression on not only ihe minds ot the children, but o' i lie parents as well. 1,, was mentioned tliai Ilia Wellington I'Mmaiioii Hoard had decided in favour 111 locally manufactured instruments. The chairman said that the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association wa- behind the gramophone iiiauulai tuivrs ol Nc« Zealand in the matter, and were willing to bain them to secure rccogiiition for t! i!■ products. (Hear, bear.) It. Was decided to recommend the gramophone manufacturers to organise a deputation to the Ministers of Kdii. e lion and Industries and (vmirer- .