AID TO INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 91, 14 October 1931, Page 4

AID TO INDUSTRY

■ - - ■ ■ . '- ■ ■ * . .n'l v Opening new markets

ORGANISATION NEEDED

In addition to aiding the man in ordinary farming pursuits, .Mr. Coates also touched on the possibilities.of gold prospecting and gold mining, and said that already a grant of £2000 had been approved for prospecting. Thirty parties with 100 men had set out, and they had shown fine results. There was a general revival how in Kumara, Hokitika, Thames, Marlbovough, and Otago. Then there was forestry and flax-growing. Every attention was being given to developing fresh markets for our flax fibre and to organising production on a basis to enable the industry to compete in the world's markets. Critical examination was also being made of the prospects of developing fruit-growing. To the utmost of their power, the Gov-

eminent.and the Unemployment Board would stimulate and encourage manufacturing arid other industries. Industrialists must realise, however, that they wore required to find an alterna^ tivo to the easy method of the protective tariff, which in too many cases already allowed New Zealand industries to continue without co-ordination, ill-organised, and on an uneconomic basis, at tho expense-of the consuming public. Co-ordination and specialisation by manufacturers in tho lines they produced would enable them to reduce prices.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. B. Holland): "Doesn't that apply to farming also?" Mr. Cuates: "I would like to see the honourable gentleman try it out." One of the problems, he said, was to reduce costs. He also advocated buying New Zealand goods. Mr. Holland: "Including coal." The Minister appealed to employers of labour to afford assistance by rationing work. This was always difficult, and would sometimes be impossible but to the extent that it could be done a service would be rendered. In some occupations, he suggested, it might be possible as an emergency measure, rather than dismiss regular employees, to give leave of absence without pay for a period of weeks. Workers might bo invited to apply for leave. It was1 a small point, but ono worth consider--1 ing- . ■