No Reason To Wait, Says Opposition

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31597, 7 February 1968, Page 24

No Reason To Wait, Says Opposition

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, February 6. The Acting Leader of the Opposition (Mr Watt) said tonight he could see no reason to wait until next August for a national development conference to be convened.

Mr Watt was commenting on the Government’s decision to call a conference of leaders of industry, commerce, farming, and trade unions and the Government services aimed at stimulating soundly based and sustained economic growth. Mr Watt said: “While 1 can see value in a conference I am concerned that this could be a device used to prolong the present depressed state of the economy. “Time Long Past”

“I want to make it clear that Labour believes that the development of our natural resources is vital to the future growth of our economy and standard of living of our people, and the time is long past when we should have been concerned with this matter.”

Mr Watt recalled that it was the second Labour Government that commenced the national resources survey under the town and country planning branch of the Ministry of Works. Mr Watt said: “It is also well to recall that in Labour’s last election policy we stated that a development and advisory authority would be established. It would have the authority to investigate and report on all substantial development projects, the final decision being in the hands of the Government. “I see no reason why it is neiessary to wait until next August before action is taken. Many things can be done right now by the Government, which can assist in the development and expansion of industry,” he said.