NEW ERA OF INDUSTRIES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 257, 25 July 1921, Page 9

NEW ERA OF INDUSTRIES

SOUTH AFRICA’S ACTIVITIES. Working independently on similar data —including the lessons of the Great War —Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are evolving similar national policies for tho encouragement of industries and commerce. The May issue of the South African "Journal of Industries,” states the Now Zealand Department of Industries and Commerce, gives a variety of evidence that the bouth African Government is exerting itsell to help local industries. The purposes ot the Department of Industries, as set out in .the "Journal,” are:— (1) To provide for a coordinate industrial research in tho Union, and to co-operate with other Govern:noire Departments, both in the Union and overseas in publishing data covering the whole field of industrial research and development. (2) To carry out an economic survey of the natural resources of the Union, and to advise regarding the best methods of utilising such resources. (3) lo encourage the development of industries in suitable areas in the Union by supplying advice and information on industrial problems. <4) lo bring producers of industrial raw materials in the Union into touch with manufacturers, both in the Union and overseas, and to bring the consumer into touch with the locally ,u ® n “' factored finished product. (5) And generally to regard all matters affecting the industrial and commercial development of the Union. Au article headed "The Expansion of Manufacturing Industries: Why Commerce Should Help,” by Mr. 11. E. IQ”£> Secretary of the South African National Union, shows that fomo of South Africa’s experience in the development of manufacturing industries is similar to New Zealand’s. “Every country, Mr. King writes, "has found local industrialism to be an economic necessity, and South Africa can he no exception. Of therefore the need is admitted, it follows that the best means of securing the greatest development should occupy our foremost attention. “To overcome the prejudice of, the public to the locally manufactured article has been uphill work. It cannot le claimed that it has been entirely removed, but with a steady improvement in quality and get up, much of it has rightly ceased to exist. “The stage has been reached when we must make up our minds to encourage with real determination the manufacturing industries of the country, or let them go by .the hoard. Half-hearted measures will no longer avail; the support must bo definite, progressive, and incessant. And it cannot be left entirely to the public, who can judge of the merit of an article only after purchase. The obligation is on the merchant to ascertain what articles can lie recommended to his customers, and,- having found that out, hq should whole-hearted-ly take that line. The success of local industrialism depends mainly on the attitude adopted toward it by the distributing merchant. He must have real sympathy with that form of development, and show it by fair criticism and helpful advice. It is not said tliat the commercial community is hostile to local industries, but it is to a large extent indifferent, which is just as fatal. “Tho time has come when this country must give more attention to both primary production and manufacturing Industry, for from these only can permanent prosperity be procured. Employment will have to be found for the rising and succeeding generations. Aguculture cannot absorb all classes of workers, nor can commerce as at present conducted provide work except to a veij limited extent. “It is difficult to understand the reluctance of the merchant to support industrial expansion, tho first effect of which is to increase the demand for the goods he has to offer. The progress of the nation depends upon tho rate, at which its population increases, and unless the country possesses industries it cannot provide the varied forms of work necessary to attract people from other lajide, or even to retain the numbers already bore. If the Union is to benefit to the full by its commerce, it must do so through the goods it produces itself. It is folly to continue paying large sums to oversea countries for manufacturing our wants from the raw materials we send them, but wo must do so as long as the merchant stands aloof.”