INDUSTRIAL FUTURE OF THE COAST

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28906, 28 May 1959, Page 12

INDUSTRIAL FUTURE OF THE COAST

Terms Of Reference For Inquiry

(Acw t,euiu»‘a Press Association; WELLINGTON, May 27. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Holloway) today announced the membership and the terms of reference for the committee to inquire into industrial development on the West Coast. The terms of reference include: “(1) The short and long-term feasibility of developing manufacturing and other industries in that area of the West Coast that can reasonably be regarded as an economic region. “(2) The transport and communication facilities of the region and their effect on any proposed industrial development. “(3) The best way in which business, local bodies and the public can co-operate in any suitable programme of development of the region. “(4) Any matters which would help inform the judgment of the Government, as well as that of local bodies, business interests and the public, upon the scope for development of the region.” >

The members of the committee will be:

Mr R. O’Shea (chairman), director of the Woollen Mills Association, and several other companies

Mr S. Gladstone, a well-known resident of the West Coast. Mr N. W. Millner, chairman of directors of Ballins Breweries Ltd.,- and its associated companies. He has also had considerable experience of both shipping and air transport. Mr E R. Norman, until recently managing director of Hannah’s footwear organisation He is a director of the Wellington Gas Company and also Bryant and May, Ltd.

The committee has been asked, if possible, to complete its report within six months. Mr Holloway said the economic problems of the West Coast which had been greatly accen-

tuated by the rapid change over the last few years away from coal consumption, had made a competent independent investigation a necessity. A senior officer of the Department of Industries and Commerce will be appointed to assist the committee as adviser and the department will provide a secretariat

Mr Holloway said the committee was quite separate from the Government committee currently investigating the specific question of greater coal utilisation, al though there would be co-opera-tion between the two bodies.