GAP SEEN IN ECONOMY

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30215, 21 August 1963, Page 17

GAP SEEN IN ECONOMY

Concentration On Farming (N.Z Press Association) ■ PALMERSTON NORTH. August 20, If New Zealand did not develop it would remain a set of islands under the sun, said Dr. W. B. Sutch. Secretary of Industries and Commerce. today. The country’s internal growth was stunted because too much energy was concentrated on farming. In a paper, “Gaps In New Zealand Industry,'' read to the Institute of Chemistry conference today, Dr. Sutch said gaps in New Zealand industry must be related to the economic gaps in the world. The country was becoming increasingly specialised and relied a great deal on grass—grass for its dairy industry. She had four main products —wool, meat, butter, and cheese. Burt she did not attempt to process any of these goods before exporting them. Instead, they were exported in their raw state and this was proving costly to New Zealand. New Zealand did not rely to any great extent on industry for finance. Consequently there was a lack of technological institutions. European countries of similar size, however, manufactured and exported a great many goods. They relied on science, skill, art, and workmanship. Populations in these countries were larger than New Zealand's now, but in 40 years' time New Zealand's population would be approximately 4.000,000.