BUREAU OF INDUSTRY

Evening Star, Issue 22722, 9 August 1937, Page 11

BUREAU OF INDUSTRY

SURVEY DP SEVEN MONTHS MINISTER SATISFIED WITH W9RK DONE A survey of the work of the Bureau of Industry set up seven months ago under the Industrial Efficiency Act was made on Saturday evening by the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, when ho was opening the New Zealand Industries Fair at Christchurch. He claimed that the beneficial effects of the bureau’s activities were becoming increasingly apparent. “ It is quite evident to me that the extensive investigations which have been carried out during the last six months in many industries and the discussions which have been held with representatives of those industries . arc now leading to finality and worthwhile achievement,” the Minister said. “ A most pleasing feature is the evident change which is occurring as a result of direct discussions between bureau representatives and particular industries in the attitude which I am quite aware certain groups of industrialists had adopted to the provisions of the Industrial Efficiency Act. “ Where previously there to, perhaps, some hostility to, and fear of, what was termed bureaucratic control and enforced planning, and that attitude was undoubtedly based upon a misunderstanding of the provisions of the statute and the intentions of the Government, there now exists a most encouraging spirit of co-operation.” Mr Sullivan traced the development of the plan for the rehabilitation of the flax industry, and discussed tho general outline of plans for other industries. The results he claimed as an indication of what could bo achieved by co-operation. He referred also to the manner in which the judging of the case of an applicant by his competitors was .avoided by the system of industrial committees.