Factory Growth Defended

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31498, 12 October 1967, Page 24

Factory Growth Defended

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, October 11.

Expansion of manufacturing in New Zealand was defended in an address to the Manufacturers’ Federation conference by the Government Statistician (Mr J. V.T. Baker).

He said he did not subscribe to theories about New Zealand being unable to support economic manufacturing industries nor that greater production and efficiency from workers could be obtained when there was unemployment.

He urged manufacturers to take more interest in future

development and use of the country's power resources. He said the local labour force was competent, educated and resourceful and that New Zealand had never been short of' materials for manufacturing. Manufacturers should give more attention to the processing of New Zealand primary products. Shortage of metals was not such a problem when it was considered many other countries were equally short, but had built up solid manufacturing industries by importing metals as near to the raw materials stage as possible.

Study Award.—This year's Eisenhower Exchange Fellow is Mr G. R. Moss, head of the Agricultural Information Section of the Department of Agriculture. He will receive a six to eight-montha tour of the United States to study farm extension work.—(P.A.)