IRONMASTERS' CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 250, 1 March 1911, Page 8

IRONMASTERS' CONFERENCE

TIIKY WANT A TARIFF. By Tuli.jfraph.—P-Ma Association. Dune-din, February 27. In an address before the Ironmasters' Association to-day, Mr. J. B. Laurenson, of Christchuivh, advanced some arguments in favor of tariff in iron manufactures, lie pointed out that the Commonwealth, since adopting a protective tariff, had advanced tremendously in secondary manufactures. This not only shut out our manufactures, but enabled the Commonwealth to turn the tables and ship back here. Victoria's population was 32 per cent, more than that of New Zealand, but her employees in the iron industry was 2.G0 per cent, more. During the period 1900-1905 we Imported five million pounds' worth of machinery, on which the revenue benefited to the extent of 4.43 per cent. At the conference of employers and employees at Wellington in November last a list of machinery and appliances had been drawn up. That list contained ten articles which could not be made in the colony, and represented three-quarters of the Eve millions mentioned above. With a protective tariff of 38 1-3 per cent, the revenue would be increased by £53G,000, and £789,000 would be spent in employing 1578 additional hands annually, and, further, there would be £789,000 expenses, such as salaries, rents, etc., or a total of £1,578,000; profit, £203,000; grand total, £1,841,000. In addition a large number of youths would become tradesmen, and, further, 2200 would be on the way to become tradesmen.

A deputation from the New Zealand Federated Boilermakers' Union waited on the conference to discuss the proposals for a new award for the Dominion. The discussion on this question will be continued to-morrow evening.

CONTRARY VIEWS OF THINGS. Christchurch, February 27. At the monthly meeting of the Ashburton Farmers' Union, Mr, W. Harding made reference to the lecent meeting of implement makers and employees, and their desire for increased protection on implements manufactured in the Dominion against outside manufacturers. Hei would like to know whether, in the event of increased protection being given, the New Zealand implement would be prepared to supply implements at the same price as at present. His own opinion was that the farmers would have to pay at the finish any increased protection that might be granted. Mr. Lill did not know what the New Zealand manufacturers wanted increased protection for. He thought they had enou'gh already. He further stated that he had obtained from a Canterbury firm the price of a large chain harrow, and the lowest price quoted him was £l6. Thinking this too high, he imported an exactly similar implement from England, and it was landed in Ashburton clear of all charges at less than £7. Mr. W. Moses said that, last year, he wanted some cog wheels for his traction engine. The Canterbury price was £lO, He sent Home for the wheels, and they coat him just £l2 landed in Ashburton.

On the motion of Mr. Harding, it was unanimously decided "That the Ashburton branch of the Farmers' Union, having noticed the report of the meeting of employers' and employees' discussion on the desirability of increased protection in the agricultural implement trade, is of opinion that such protection is contrary to the interest of the fanning community, and asks the North Canterbury executive to give the matter their careful consideration."