NEW ZEALAND GOODS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 143, 19 June 1931, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND GOODS

PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN

UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD'S

ACTION

The forthcoming campaign on behalf of New Zealand-made goods was outlined by the Minister of Labour (the Hon. S. G. Smith) in a statement made on behalf of the Unemployment Board to-day. He made it clear that the grant of £800 by the board towards the campaign was in no way a donation to the Manufacturers' Association, i

"The manufacturing industries of the Dominion," said the Minister, "are experiencing the full effects of the depression, in trade, and the consequent lack of sales has resulted in the services of many of the employees being dispensed with. Tho progressive increase in the number of unemployed ia largely due to the tremendous decline ia the business transacted by these industries, and in an endeavour to re-awaken public interest in locally-made - products, and with the primary object of enabling tho employees to got back to their special jobs, the Unemployment Board has recommended to the Government the advisability of instituting a publicity campaign to stimulate a demand for all New Zealand-made goods. This interest in industrial progress is an integral part of tho Unemployment Board's functions, and the Government cordially endorsed the recommendation. "The question of financing the campaign, which is estimated to cost £1200, was decided by the board agreeing to make available a sum of £800, on condition that the Manufacturers'.Association (tho members of which would benofit indirectly) contributed one-third (£400) of the total. "This is not in any sense a grant to tho Manufacturers' Association,- any more than tho Unemployment Board's subsidy under No. 2 scheme was a gra.it to householders, or the subsidy under schemes 4a and 4b was a grant, to farmers. The board's chief .concern in these cases was to provide openings for unemployed men, and not to benefit the farmers. The campaign in the interests of the secondary industries is primarily a campaign to re-absorb tho workers in those industries. The Government will handle both the funds and the campaign, through the Industries, Commerce, and Publicity Department. "Exception has been taken, to the Unemployment Board's inauguration of .this campaign, on the ground that it is a diversion of the funds for tho benefit of a particular class, but no such chargo was made when tho board allocated and expended approximately £70,000 apparently in the interests of the primary industries, but primarily to help tho unemployed. "If by this means the demand for Now Zealand-made goods can be stimulated and thousands of unemployed men and women and boys and girls are enabled to resumo their former occupations, the beneficial effects ■of their employment will inevitably spread to many other branches of trade and commerce. Such a consummation is most devoutly 'to be wished, and under the circumstances, it is expected that the campaign will bo launched not only with the good-will but with the'practical help of every section of the community. '' Mr. A. "W. Martin, the well-known Eupturo Specialist from Dunedin, is now on his twenty-sixth, annual visit to the centres of New Zealand. Ho will bo at the New Commercial Hotel, Lambton quay, from Tuesday, 23rd June, to Saturday, 4th July. Consultations free. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 pni.,—Adyt, .-.