OUR FUTURE

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 18, 21 January 1921, Page 2

OUR FUTURE

DOMINION INDUSTRIES

AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE.

Next month, at Auckland, leading manufacturers of tho Dominion will meet for the annual conference of the Industrial Corporation. Information received by the Board of Trade indicates that the head's of the large manufacturing industries throughout New Zealand are confident that much good work wiil be done at the February conference. During tho I war, and since its conclusion, local manufacturers have' received satisfactory prices for their goods, because the demand, exceeded the supply : The. reduction in the importation-of various articles brought New Zealand products more and more into use, and tho. high \ quality was impressed on increasing numbers of. the public. Now that various manufacturing countries have goods available for tho exploitation of overy market that promises a profit, New Zealand manufacturers have a feeling that they must be vigilant and active to safeguard thoir interests. They olaim, too, that the right kind of encouragement of industries for which tho' factors are favourable ensures tho right kind of development 'of the country as a whole. Already the;' Auckland Provincial Industrial Association -is busy with a publio'ity. campaign. One ' folder has these slogans: — . .. < ... ■ • . "New Zealand will be tho world's target for 'dumping' .unless we support our own industries. We can make up our own raw jjnaterials here, and keep the wages and profits in our oiyn country." "Solve your own problems of taxation. Keep the'money here by supporting your own industries." . "The best guarantee of national security isvto,.bo self-supporting." "Produce more New Zealand-made goods, and our own boys and girls will Jind plenty of scope for their talents, jn their own country." "Don't be content to buy without seeing tho brand- on goods. If it is 'made in New Zealand.it ib . your duty to buy." -..'■• The ftiot that the government is about to begin an investigation, in preparation for a revision of the Customs tariff next session, has added.to the importance of next month's .conference, which wijl necessarily be concerned with the tariff. At last year's conference in Dunedin a hope was expressed by delegates that the new Department of .industries and Commerce would develop on a .basis which would make it as helpful to the manufaoturing industries as the ■ Department of Agriculture had been to the primary- industries. Hitherto tho. Board: of Trade has boon largely occupied with duties connected with fixation of prices of certain articles, allocation of supplies,, and similar tasks, but'arrangements have now been made for progress, with a constructive policy' for. the advancement of New Zealand's industries and commerce. The Hon, E./P.. Lee (Minister of Industries and Commerce) has accepted an invitation to ba present at the February.! conference,-if possible, ,and has promised an address. The-Board of Trade will be represented at all sittings of the conference. . . ...