A FAREWELL AND A WELCOME

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 286, 30 August 1935, Page 22

A FAREWELL AND A WELCOME

Messrs. G. W. Clinkard and L. J. Schmitt

MANUFACTURERS’ LUNCH

There was a representative gathering of New Zealand manufacturers present yesterday at a luncheon tendered at the Hotel St. George by the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association to Mr. G W. Clinkard, late secretary to the Department of Industries and'Commerce, who has been appointed New Zealand trade commissioner in Europe, with headquarters in Belgium, and to Mr. L, J. Sc'umitt, who has succeeded to Mr. Clinkard s duties here. Tile president of tu« Wellington Association (Mr. W. McLuy), presided. He was supported a' the guests’ table by Mr. J. Hogg, president of the New Zealand Manufacturers Federation, and the following members of the council: Messrs. L. M. Matheson (Wellington), ,1. A. C. Allum (Auckland) F. L. Hutchinson (Christchurch), C. H. Burson (Christc-fiurch), T. Somerville (Dunedin), and J. T. Spears, vice-presi-dent (Wellington).

Mr. McLay said that the gathering had been arranged because Mr. CliUaard’s worth was so well known to all present. One difficulty he had in congratulating Mr. Clinkard and Mr. Schmitt was that he did not know whether to congratulate them on promotion or condole with them on being disrated. Probably this particular department was as socialistic as they were in Barataria, in“ The Gondoliers,” when they sang—“ The Duse the Marquis, and the Cook, they all shall equal be.” Mr. Clinkard had done great service for his department and the Government, and as “they do abuse the King who flatter him," he would leave it at thut. wishing him all the best of good luck ana good health in his new sphere of duty Mr. Schmitt was an old friend who was well versed in the ways of the department. Like the negro parson welcoming his successor, he could say, with his hand cf bis heart, that “.he could think the unthinkable, speak the unspeakable and unscrew the inscrutable.”

Policy Supported.

Mr, J. Hogg said lie was very pleased to be present to say good bye to Mr. Clinkard and welcome Mr. Schmitt. He congratulated the Government on the policy it was pursuing ip enlarging its circle of trade commissioners. New Zealand would now have a trade representative in Europe, one at Toronto, one at Los Angeles, as well as those at Sydney and Melbourne, and he hoped it would not be long before they had a trade commissioner in the East. He offered his congratulations, for if anyone took the trouble to look into the value of exports from tjie Dominion, lie would find good reason for creating wider markets for New Zealand products and New Zealand-made goods. So he thanked Mr. Clinkard for what he had dope on behalf of the manufacturers of this country. Mr, Schmitt was, he knew, very well (acquainted with the position of the manufacturer, and with his driving force and ability the Industries and Commerce Department would be iy safe hands, and would be to the manufacturer what the Agricultural Department was to the farmer, -

The latest figures, said Mr. Hogg, told them that in Britain they had been able to put back' 35,000 people into industries last year, while in New Zealand they had been able to put back 9000 in twelve months and 12,600 in two years, which represented 20 per cent, of the unemployed. Mr. Hogg said he had personal experience of Mr. Schmitt in Sydney last December, and incidentally said that New Zealand had the best tourist office in Sydney, ideal iu situation and for publicity.

Mr. Clinkard raid that he was undertaking a different line of work, and so was Mr. Schmitt, and both were happy about it. In thanking the Manufacturers’ Association for the opportunity of meeting so many of their friends, Mr. Clinkard said there were two important considerations that must mean an increase of manufactured goods in New Zealand—one was based on the national increase in population; the other was that, as the country developed, a lesser proportion of its people would be engaged in primary industries, so that industrial manufacture must develop. New Zealand was growing out of its infancy stage. Half a century ago it was not much more than a big mining camp, but with the development which had taken place in that period manufacturing had come on, was still increasing. and must increase still more. The thing to guard against was not to attempt to develop an industry beyond its economic justification. By that he did not mean that they should not push into new fields where •opportunity beckoned, but it was useless to compete, unless there was a prospect of doing so on profitable lines. In such efforts he thought that the manufacturers might deserve and require Government assistance. It would be wise if the association put such aspects before the Government when convinced of the soundness of their case, Mr. Clinkard referred to the federation’s co-ordination scheme, a proposal which lie had been able to examine within the last few days. He hoped it would be carefully dealt with by 'be manufacturers with full breadth of view. It had the germ of an idea, and he would be very interested to see how It worked out. Minister’s Interest. Mr. Schmitt said that when he had reported to his Minister on bis return from Australia he had been informed that SO per cent, of his work would be connected with industries and commerce. When one found one’s Minister of that mind they must realise how keenly interested he wtts in the development of industries. Those without might realise always what .was going on inside a Government department. There wits the Industries Development Committee, comprising officers of .he department, the Department of Scientific Research and the Unemployment Board, which was doing quite a lot of good work. His experience in Australia would help him considerably with the manufacturing industries. While there he had to make investigations into several off the manufacturing industries to assist in protecting the New Zealand manufacturer. They nad developed their industries to a wonderful extent In Australia. One notable industry was the Broken Hill I’ropiietary's steel works at Newcastle, where there were no fewer than 27 locomotives at work about the yards every 'day. There was not more efficient or tidier works of the kind anywhere. Mr. Schmitt said how very much he appreciated the kind welcome given him. He' was sorry to lose his colleague, Mr. Clinkard. wjiom, be said, possessed all the knowledge to fit him for the great work he was to undertake.