NEW ZEALANDMADE GOODS

Press, Issue 22599, 3 January 1939, Page 2

NEW ZEALANDMADE GOODS

SUPPORT URGED FOR EXPANSION

APPEAL BY MAYOR OF NEW

BRIGHTON

, A strong appeal for the expansion of New Zealand secondary industries was made by the Mayor of New Brighton (Mr E. L. Smith) at the opening of the South Brighton gala at Pleasant Point yesterday.

‘‘Y? u all know,” said Mr Smith, “the old English custom of making resolutions at the opening of a new year. Today I ask you to join me in making such a resolution—a resolution to -build up our nation. On Saturday evening the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, as Minister for Industries and Commerce, appealed to the people of New Zealand to buy New Zealand-made goods. There is wisdom in this course, because through your co-operation in purchasing goods made in New Zealand you will be making provision for the future of our nation and the future of our boys and girls. “If we take the year 1933-34 as an example we find that our exports and our imports reached their lowest point m value. For the year ended March 31, 1938, we find that compared with 1933-34, our imports have increased by 150 per cent., and even if we allow for increased population the increase equals 119 per cent. On the other hand, production in New Zealand has only increased by 50 per cent. The Government intends to increase that production by at least another 50 per cent., and you can help by purchasing, wherever they are available, goods made in New Zealand. “There will always be certain goods that cannot and will not be made in New Zealand, and wherever possible these goods will and should be bought from Britain. So far as unemployment is concerned. Public Works and rotational work are only expedients at the best. The Government realises this and the aim now is to put our workers back into our secondary industries. “You can all help,” continued Mr Smith, “by purchasing goods made in New Zealand. You will be providing avenues of employment and you will be building a nation for the future. By the Statute of Westminster New Zealand was classified not as a daughter but rather as a partner in the British Commonwealth of Nations. It is; therefore, our duty in self-defence to build up our nation to a greater degree of self-sufficiency and self-sup-port than ever before. As Mayor of New Brighton I am wholeheartedly behind the Government in its effort to expand existing secondary industries and to establish new industries. I ask you to do your share towards building a nation by giving preference to the goods made in New Zealand. I request you to join me now in making a New Year resolution affirming that you will buy New Zealand-made goods.”