DOMINION'S LIFE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 73, 23 September 1943, Page 4

DOMINION'S LIFE

SECONDARY INDUSTRIES

"ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL"

It was absolutely essential that NewZealand should have secondary industries if the Dominion's life was to be properly maintained, said the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) last night, in the Oddfellows' Hall, Clyde Quay. The day had passed—if ever it was —when the young people could find employment on the farms and when New Zealand could remain simply the dairy farm of the British Commonwealth.. When some of Labour's opponents recklessly and foolishly talked about removing .import restrictions they were simply holding out the prospect of chaotic conditions. Import restrictions were not introduced because anybody wanted import restrictions or any restrictions in particular. Because of the increased, purchasing pow.er. of the people, under the Labour Government and the demand for.imported goods, New Zealand's sterling funds overseas had gone down until the serious point was reached where it might have lost all its credit abroad and might have been looked upon as a bankrupt nation. A Government would be betraying the country if it allowed that to happen. There was only one way'to prevent that, and that was by controlling imports in a sensible way, and that was done. If that control were 'removed at the present time, New Zealand's secondary industries would be swamped and ruined, and the thousands of people employed in the factories would literally be thrown into the streets. When Labour's opponents talked about removing import restrictions they were talking about something they knew could not be put into operation. Mr. Doidge was entirely wrong when he said that the building up of industries in this country would antagonise Britain. It might antagonise a few selfish people in Britain, but as far as the British Government, the American Government^ and President Roosevelt were concerned, he (Mr. Fraser) knew perfectly well they would give every encouragement to New Zealand to develop its industries to the fullest extent and would facilitate the importation of raw materials for that purpose. IRON AND STEEL WORKS. When Mr. Doidge also said it was absurd to set up an iron and steel works in New Zealand he was again talking nonsense. While the amount of iron ore at Qnekakawas nothing like what had been anticipated, still there | was sufficient, together-with the use of Taranaki iron -sand, to establish a ! very substantial industry which would be the foundation of further industries, and the Labour Government would develop that to the fullest extent. Even if the iron ore was not available, there was the possibility of the Taranaki iron-sand providing the basis for a useful industry. The' Government, continued Mr. Fraser, would.not encourage the conr I centration of industries in one locality. While it was inevitable in the large cities that there should be industries, yet it was a mistaken policy to draw all the,people into, those cities. Surveys had already^ peen ...instituted to ascertain what industries could be started in various parts of the country so that work could be available for the young people near their own homes. The Labour Party believed that if work could be combined with a home influence it was a move in the right direction. (Applause.) After answering a number of questions a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr. Fraser was passed, there being four dissentients in an audience of about 80. Mr. Fraser also addressed a meeting at Roseneath last night, and there an attendance of about; 4o adopted unanimously , a resolution expressing appreciation of his past services, confidence in him as; member for Wellington Central and as Prime Minister, and pledging support at the election.