LABOUR’S VIEW

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29722, 16 January 1962, Page 10

LABOUR’S VIEW

“Retreat From Reality”

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 15. The Government’s decision to scrap the Nelson cotton mill project was described today as “calamitous” by the president of -the Labour Party (Dr. A. M. Finlay). "Unfortunately it appears that the Labour Party can do little to reverse this calamitous decision, but it can, and will, keep the public reminded of its far-reaching effects,” he said. It was an odd, and rather grim, coincidence that three items of news should make their appearance on the one day. said Dr. Finlayt They were:

(1) Agreement on farm policy by the European Common Market countries. (2) Cancellation of the Nelson cotton mill agreement.

(3) Thousands of children leaving school at Lithgow. Ne\ South Wales, a city not unlike Nelson, have been unable to find employment. “These three phenomena are closely inter-related: the first emphasising the folly of the. second, and the third demonstrating its likely consequence.” said Dr. Finlay. “This appears to be lost on the Government, whose much vaunted ‘steadiness’ seems to be, in faet, a steady retreat from reality and capitulation to vested interests. “First Maraetai No. 2. i.ow this. Will the aluminium plant be the next Labour project to go? “Do our present rulers really believe the economic problems of the future, now so urgent, and with the agricultural agreement in Brussels so clearly visible, will be solved by discouraging industry and frightening away overseas industrialists?”

INVITED ON BOARD

Disclosure By Opponent

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON. January 15. The president of the Wholesale Softgoods Federation (Sir Jack Harris) disclosed today that suggestions he should be a New Zealand director of the Nelson cotton mill company were discussed with Smith and Nephew in London in 1960. Sir Jack Harris is governing director of Bing Harris and Company, Ltd. He has been a strong opponent of the cotton mill agreement made between Smith and Nephew and the Labour Government.

Asked about suggestions that he had been proposed as a director of the Commonwealth Fabric Corporation, "he said: “Yes, I had some discussions with Smith and Nephew when I was in London in 1960. But I had no idea then of the terms of the agreement. “There were informal discussions then with Smith and Nephew and there was some suggestion that, assuming there was New Zealand participation in the shareholding, I should be a New Zealand director.

“But I never heard any more about it from the time I left England. Had the agreement been on different terms and assuming a substantial degree of New Zealand shareholding, I should have been happy to be a director.”