INDUSTRIAL MEETING AT TIMARU.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1072, 17 February 1883, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL MEETING AT TIMARU.

A very successful meeting to establish an industrial association was held in Timaru last Thursday evening. There were about 150 persons present. Mr R, Turnbull, M.H.R., occupied th® chair, and explained the object of th* meeting. It was patent to all that a great many people were forced into the town, and the question was, What should be done with them ? The rising generation was also to be considered. The object of the proposed association was to acquire information with regard to starting local industries that would give employment to these. Men who had money found investment for it in mortgages, etc., and did not care to invest it in any enterprise of the kind proposed. The people would have to unite together if they wanted local industries started, and not depend upon capitalists to do it for them. There was a largo ameunt of money going out of the country for goods which might be manufactured here, and he would urg* that it was desirable that all this money should be kept in the colony. Mr Thomas Turnbull said he had convened the meeting with the view of considering what could be done to keep the people in limaru. Trade was dull, and people were going away daily. He then read extracts from the rules of the Christchurch Association, and continued to say that he knew working men who were willing to put £IOO into any institution that was likely to pay. Making starch, boots, etc,, had been suggested to them. A woollen factory was too largo an undertaking. They should begin with small ones, and when they were found successful go in for larger ones. Mr Howland president of the Christchurch Association, to whom he (Mr Turnbull) had written, had expressed a hope that the people ef Timaru would be patriotic enough to take the matter up, and if they did it would result in doing good. There was plenty of raw material in the district which only required development. Mr James Bruce moved— ‘ That it is desirable that an Association, to be called the -South Canterbury Industrial Association, be foimed in Timaru, the objects of the Association to be the fostering and encouragement of local industries and productions.’

The motion was seconded by Mr M. Jonas and agreed to.

Both gentlemen spoke very forcibly in favor of local industries.

Mr Kimber suggested that each trade should form a sub-committee to inquire how industries in their own line might be started. He also advocated protection. Mr Wakefield said he was a free trader, and should continue to remain so. The Association they were about to form should not be allowed to drift into politics. He denied that Timaru was worse off than other places, and referred at some length to the success of industries in Auckland. He would be content with small beginnings, and try to enlarge as they went along.

Mr J Kirby moved, and Mr Duval seconded— ‘ That members subscription be ss, payable in advance.’

Two amendments to the effect that the subscription be 3s fid, and that it be loft to the committee, were lost, and Mr Kirby’s motion carried.

Mr Wakefield moved—‘That a provisional Committee of five be appointed by this meeting to draft rules and bye-laws and canvass for members, three to form a quorum ; the Committee to consist of Messrs J. S. Gibson,— Palliser, W. Priest, J, Watkins and J. Bruce. The motion was seconded by Dr Hogg and carried.

On the motion of Mr Goodsll, seconded by Dr Lovegrove, it was resolved— ‘ That the Provisional Committee call a meeting within 14 days at the Mechanics Institute, to submit rules and bye-laws to the members, and that the officers and Committee of the Association be then elected.’

Nearly all present agreed to become members, and the meeting terminated.