Development Conference Outcome “Thrills” Minister

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29234, 18 June 1960, Page 14

Development Conference Outcome “Thrills” Minister

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON. June 17. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Holloway) said he was “thrilled” with the outcome of the industrial develgpment conference which concluded in Wellington at noon today. He said the conference had provided New Zealand with “a worthy blueprint for the future.” On the motion of Mr N. T. Gillespie (Lower Hutt), the conference today adopted a resolution urging the Government to give “early, sympathetic, and wholehearted recognition to the constructive proposals emanating from this conference.”

Mr Holloway said: “I can assure you that the spirit of the resolution will be accepted by the Government.” Later, the Prime Minister (Mr Nash) said the Government would give very serious consideration to the recommendations of “the cream of the thinking section of our community in all its fields.” At the final plenary session of the conference the recommendations of the three committees were accepted without discussion and their printing was approved.

The chairman of committee 1 (Mr W. G. V. Fernie), said: “It has been an amazing week, a remarkable experience.” Tributes were paid to the conference organisers—the Department of Industries and Commerce—and those responsible for its smooth running. Mr Nash saicl the Government would undertake to have the conference reports printed “and I. personally, will read every word of them.” He would recommend that every other Cabinet Minister did too.

“We will try to find out, from what you have given us, just what we feel, as the Government, can be done,” Mr Nash said.

Mr Holloway said the Department of Industries and Commerce had deliberately avoided expressing any opinions at the conference for fear that it might interfere with a free flow of discussion. He said he had been “staggered” at the amount of opinion accepted by the varied representatives. “1 never expected we would get a blueprint for the

future from this conference. 1 am thrilled at the outcome.”

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holyoakei said he considered the holding of the conference an excellent, timely idea. It has resulted in a frank exchange of ideas and had achieved the objective of “at least laying down a line of thinking for the future.'’ Committee 11 of the conference sat until 11.40 p.m. yesterday to reach agreement on its report for the final session

Under the chairmanship of Mr G. W. Lane, the committee reported on a wide range of sub jects relating to the development of New Zealand’s economy. The committee held that in developing the New Zealand market cost levels should be held in the interests of the country's internal economy so as to protect the competitive position overseas of its export industries. The committee felt there were national advantages in the decentralisatiorf of industry. The committee said the Government must provide the environment in which the economy might best develop. Monetary and fiscal policies were only part of this environment. Every attention should be given by the Government to the extension of scientific research and extension services for industry. ’