MADE IN N.Z.

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 131, 30 November 1939, Page 9

MADE IN N.Z.

SECONDARY INDUSTRY

ALL-ROUND INCREASES

Figures showing the growth o*. ' secondary industries in New Zealand were quoted by Mr. W. H. Stevens, president of the Wellington Manufacturers' Association, in his address to members at the annual meeting last - }', night. The figures were as follows:-— . ■■; 1929-30. 1932-33. 1937-38. " "• £ £ & ,' i Value of products 42,159,540 .27,136,598 46,885,8«1 ■ '„* Salaries and <■ ~'r wages. 12.385,580 7,310,243 13,194,521 Materials ' - •* used 18,552,761 12,971,803 22,518.40» '-•; 1920-30. 1932-33. 1937JW No. or employees • •. - - (persons engaged) 63,943' 46,330 71,489 Upon the basis of the 1937-38 figure* (the latest available) arid allowing two dependants on each breadwinner,; said' , -, Mr. Stevens, one found that manufac* \' .: turing industries were responsible for ' j the livelihood of the minimum t of 200,000 people, not taking into con* sideration the vast army of people, importers, indent agents, warehousemen* ,\ carriers, railway and" , shipping-"' em-' ployees, etc., who were engaged wholly • or partly in servicing our industries. MANUFACTURES AND EXPORTS. - \ Statements had been made- from, time-to time that the policy-of de- ''V veloping manufacturing • industries would lead to regulation of exports to the United Kingdom market. ■ Any ' ; \ ,'•'■' such "statement showed an utter dis« ■ ■''' regard- of the facts, said Mr. Stevens. i " ■ The position ' was in fact quite the' : ";■ reverse. It was that the development { of manufacturing industries had been •,.:' rendered all the more necessary because the United Kingdom had adopted a policy of regulation of imports oa ', ; the Home market to whatever extent it deemed necessary, for: (1) Proteo ■ W tion Ho her primary-producers from • : a glutting of the market that would1 , Xjreduce prices to uneconomic >levels; '^ .c; (2) securing the full utilisation of her" ,-.r farm lands and enable these 'to, "bo , -- 4

maintained at their full productiv« ,- capacity; (3) ensuring the production ' -'-; of foodstuffs sufficient to supply ( tiie needs of the people and to establish ■ ' \ [the ecdnomic endurance of the nation. '- *' under conditions of war, without ~" *' which there could be no military \ .-..•' 1 security. . -\ . -