LOCAL INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 207, 2 September 1938, Page 14

LOCAL INDUSTRY.

IMPORTERS' CLAIM. "WEALTH IN FARM PRODUCE." ANSWER TO MANUFACTURERS "As a primary producing country we should realise that our future prosperity lies not in the establishment of a number of uneconomic industries in Xew Zealand, but in the enlarging of our overseas markets," declares a statement issued to-day by the Bureau of Importers, in answer to a claim made by Mr. M. R. O'Shea, secretary of the Manufacturers' Federation, that "we know that there is a definite upward limit to the market for our primary produce in England." " ° "Mr. O'Shea lias apparently lost eight °f the fact that there are other countries. other than England, which offer potential markets for our primary produce." it is stated liy the bureau. "Prior to the signing of the Ottawa Agreement. England placed a 10 per cent tariff on of Xew Zealand pastoral products, and it was only on our agreeing to accept British-manufactured .soods in exchange for our exports that the duty "was lifted. Our Dominion would be in & sad plight to-day if England insisted <m a balancing trade. "We do agree with Mr. O'Shea when he say a that there is a prreat deal of misconception in the public mind generally about imports from the United Kingdom. We feel sure that the public realise that these imports, whether of finished articles, or materials and machinery for local manufacturers, are made possible by our exports. It may Interest the public to know that the number of persons engaged in the preparation of farm products and by-products in Xew Zealand is 13,500, and the average annual wage per employee is £240. Our local manufacturing industries absorb 66,500 workers whose average annual income is £172 per worker. Despite the fact that local industries absorb more than live times the number of workers engaged in ,tlie preparation of farm products, the value of the products is £10,000,000 lees per annum."