‘INFLUENCES AT WORK’

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 183, 1 May 1936, Page 12

‘INFLUENCES AT WORK’

Propaganda Against N.Z. Woolpacks i GOVERNMENT WATCHING Reference to ‘‘certain influences at work overseas in spreading propaganda” against woolpacks manufactured at Foxton was made by the Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon. M. Fagan, during the second reading debate on the Employment Promotion Bill yesterday. Thc point .arose when mention was made of the industry as a future avenue for the employment of New Zealand labour. Mr. Fagan said the Government had been advised that certain powers connected with the jute industry of India, from which the best woolpacks hail hitherto been manufactured, were spreading propaganda against woolpacks made at Foxton of New Zealand flax. The Government was watching the situation with a view to countering such propaganda. Recent tests had established that the Foxton woolpacks now stood up to those made in any other part of the world. BAN ON IMPORTS An Order-in-Council in the current “Gazette” prohibits the importation of woolpacks and wool-pockets except with the consent of the Minister of Customs. For the year 1934 the value of woolpacks imported into New Zealand was £92,055, and in 1935 £87,92". LOCAL INDUSTRIES Small Population Limits Expansion The statement that the Government realised that there was a limit to which secondary industries could be expanded with the existing population of the Dominion was made by the Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon. M. Fagan, during the second reading debate on the Employment Promotion Bill yesterday afternoon. Mr. Fagan said the Government, in following a policy of development of local manufacturing industries, recognised that expansion could not go on indefinitely while the population remained at its present total of 1,600,000. The Government appreciated that the solution of the problem of unemployment was wrapped up in the question of increasing the population of the country. The Government would not be justified in moving a finger in the direction of bringing more people into New Zealand until permanent work had been found for those still out of employment. “There is no future for New Zealand until the Government has solved the unemployment problem,” said .Mr. Fagan. “When we have accomplished that it will be up to us to see that the right class of immigrant is brought from Great Britain, not only to assist in the consumption of the overproduction of our primary products, but also to help us pay our'taxation, which is rather high?’ LABOUR DEPARTMENT BILL IN COUNCIL Five minutes was the time devoted by the Legislative Council yesterday to putting flic Labour Department Amendment Bill through the second reading. The Leader. Hou. M. Fagan, explained that the Bill was a machinery one to reorganise the department with the object of facilitating the administration of tlie Government's new labour legislation.

The Bill was read a secund lime without discussion. The committee stage will take place to-day.