LABOUR OUTLET IN INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 5 February 1938, Page 16

LABOUR OUTLET IN INDUSTRY

ADVANCE EXPECTED IN MANUFACTURING APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE BY TARIFFS (PKESS ISSOCIATIOIf TILIGIUX.) WELLINGTON, February 4. “I firmly believe, and I say this advisedly, that the manufacturing industry in New Zealand is going to make enormous strides in the next few years,” said Mr T. O. Bishop, secretary of the Employers’ Federation, in Conciliation Council to-day when urging the desirability of a comprehensive award in the metal working trades. “If manufacturing does not advance within the next few years it is going to be a case of ‘God help New Zealand,’ ” he said. “We have got to find employment other than that arising from agriculture for the natural increase of population. If we are going to increase our population by immigration then it is essential to find employment other than agriculture. “We cannot develop our manufacturing industries unless we can put them on a footing at least somewhat competitive with that of other countries. No tariff which can reasonably be imposed will enable an inefficiently conducted Industry to hold up against an efficiently conducted one. It is essential that everything that can reasonably be done should be done for manufacturing, whether engineering or any other kind,” added Mr Bishop. The applicant party in the dispute was the Wellington Metal Workers’ Assistants’ Union, and the employers proposed a postponement of proceedings so as to secure a comprehensive award. The applicants opposed an adjournment, but it was decided to ask the Court to decide the question of a comprehensive award. If it decides in favour of the union proceedings will be resumed on the original basis.