STATE ASSISTANCE FOR INDUSTRY

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

STATE ASSISTANCE FOR INDUSTRY

GOVERNMENT'S POSITIVE POLICY The claim that the Government had adopted a positive policy in the assistance given to New Zealand industry was mado by the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, on Saturday evening when opening at Christchurch the New Zealand Industries Fair. “Instructions have been issued to all Government departments,” he said, “ that whenever possible purchases are to be made from New Zaland manufacturers. Prices are not to be the only criterion on which purchasing officers are to base their judgment when placing orders for stores, and where quotations are received from New Zealand manufacturers which arc higher than quotations receiver! from agents of overseas firms, provided the disparity in the prices is not too great and the quality of the goods is comparable, orders are to be placed with the New Zealand manufacturer. “ This action on the part of the Government has been of no small benefit to onr local producers, and the example set by the Government has been followed in numerous cases by local authorities. No statistics are available to show’ how much extra business has been placed with New Zealand producers through the adoption of the Government’s policy, but there is no doubt that many individual firms, and through them their employees, have benefited to an appreciable ex-