FURTHER EXPANSION

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 129, 25 February 1941, Page 6

FURTHER EXPANSION

Manufacturing industries Of Dominion

LATEST FIGURES QUOTED (By Telegraph—Press Association.! CHRISTCHURCH, February 24. "During I lie year 1839-10, tery real progress was imide in the manufacturing industries of New Zealand, said the Minister of Industries and Commerce, .Mr. Sullivan, today. "1 have always insisted that New Zealand could develop her manufacturing industries

and that by doing so we would provide

greater opportunities for onr people to find gainful employment.

"Over the past five years the Dominion lias added to the payrolls of productive industry an average of. about 5000 persons annually,” the Minister said. “I have just received the official figures for the year ended March 31, 1940. The story these figures tell is a story of real progress, and despite the war situation steady gains have been made.

“For example, the number of Persons engaged rose from 102,435 to 108,7—, an increase of 6287 during the yeai. Salaries and wages paid rose by £1,190,539, to reach the figure* ,ot £2)1,-160,549. An increase of £9,617,206 is recorded in the value of materials used, bringing this to £84,961,407. Ihe value of products reached the splendid total’ of £129,661,826, as against £113,691,556 for the previous year, an increase of £15,370,270. The added value, that is the wealth created by our manufacturing industries, rose bj £5,513.036. from £38.607,383 to £-14,120,419. “These figures demonstrate very clearly the measure of our progress, mid 'll will generally be agreed,” Mr. Sullivan said, “that, the record of the vear 1939-10 should give cause for satis--faction. More created wealth, more spending power in the bands of the people, more and more goods pouring out. of our factories and workshops, more, opportunity for our young people all these are represented in these figures, and I cannot but express my admiration to the manufacturers who have made it possible. Their initiative, co-operation and confidence have helped substantially in the man'll of progress. “I express, therefore, my deep appreciation of the position and I know tha t the work accomplished and in process of being accomplished so far as the expansion of manufacturing is concerned will be very helpful in the great work of rehabilitation that awaits us when peace is restored.