INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY

Evening Star, Issue 22470, 15 October 1936, Page 16

INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY

WHY CHAMBERS OPPOSE BILL THE MINISTER CORRECTED [Peb United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, October 14. A protest against certain reported remarks of the Minister ot Industries and Commerce (Mr Sullivan) during the second reading debate in the House ot Representatives on the Industrial Etticiency Bill has been made by the president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce (Mr Ross) in a telegram sent te Mr Sullivan. The telegram was as follows : , “ Auckland newspapers report you as saying that the only real opposition outside the House has come troin Auckland and Dunedin Chambers ot Commerce, which are mainly concerned with the effect of legislation on imports competing with local manuiactuiers. Other chambers have passed resolutions protesting against the Bill, and a combined meeting of the Dominion Chambers of Commerce unanimously condemned the Bill on October 1. The Auckland meeting did not discuss the question of imports competing with local manufactures. It was concerned only with the broad issues, involving the bureaucratic control of all industrial and commercial activity, the subjugation of private enterprise without provision for compensation, and the Minister’s unlimited powers of cpntrol over industry and commerce without the right of appeal. It is significant, however, that the Auckland resolution was moved by a prominent local manufacturer and a member of the manufacturers’ association. Ninety per cent, of the protests against the Bill received by the Auckland Chamber have come from local manufacturers.” GOHSENT OF INDUSTRY WELLINGTON, October 14. In an interview Mr lan Matheson, president of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association, said the associa tion was particularly pleased to learn of two far-reaching amendments to the Industrial Efficiency Bill announced by the Minister of Industries and Commerce in the House of Representatives last evening. The amendment to provide for the consent of industry before the final adoption of the plan made the Bill one to which the organisation could give its full support and approval. Many members of the association would look forward to their industries being co-ordinated under the Bill in a manner which would react to the_ great benefit of the workers, the public, and themselves.