BUREAU OF INDUSTRY

Evening Star, Issue 22802, 10 November 1937, Page 1

BUREAU OF INDUSTRY

ITS FUNCTIONS EXPLAINED BOTH ADVISORY AND EXECUTIVE Details of the operation of the Indus, trial Efficiency Act and of the functions of the Bureau of Industry were given last night by Mr C. M. Bowden in an address to local manufacturers. He said he believed the Minister in bringing the Act to the Statute Book, gave evidence of an earnest desire to bring efficiency into industry; to improve stand, ards of living; and to develop the re. sources of New Zealand. Wisely interpreted, the Act could be of immense value, and as on© of the members of the bureau, he said it would be his constant endeavour to implement a sound and beneficial policy, “In the first place, I want to say I was amazed to find how great was the fund of information available . to t members _ of the Bureau of Industry. The pooling of knowledge of the various Departments of State of itself) enables co-ordinated effort along well informed lines. “ The functions of the Bureau of Industry, as _ enumerated in the Act, are both advisory and executive. Advisory functions of the bureau include the making of recommendations in relation to the establishment and development of new industries; the consideration of Government assistance to industries; the raising of quality products; the adoption of uniform methods of accounting and costing; the preparation of statistics, standardisation of materials, processes of products; the. training and supply of workers; the marketing and distribution of products and the purchasing of raw materials. “ In addition to acting in an advisory capacity to the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the bureau is to be an industrial licensing authority as provided by the Act. The Minister of Industries _ and Commerce may at any time require that any industry shall only be carried on pursuant to a license issued by the bureau, and the Minister is the appeal authority against any decisions of the Bureau in respect to licensing. ‘‘The bureau is also directed to maintain a continuous survey of industries and industrial methods; to arrange for the collection, publication and distribution of statistics relating to output, costs, prices, markets, workingconditions, and other related matters; to collaborate with any research organisations; to arrange for the publication and distribution of appropriate information among persons or organisations concerned; and to facilitate collaboration between departments of State with; respect to matters affecting industry. “At the outset 15 industries were gazetted as being subject to license, and several industries have since been recommended for similar action. Several distributive industries were included in the list.

“A tremendous amount of work lias also been done toward the establishment of new industries, and the formulation of plans for expansion and co-ordination of a number of manufacturing industries, though you will understand that at the moment I am not able to intimate the details of, what has been done in respect of* them.

“It is worthy of mention that no plan can be instituted for any industry unless or until it has been approved by a majority of those engaged as principals in the industry to which the plan relates or by persons employing a majority of the workers engaged in that industry. “ There is also statutory right of appeal given to any person who considers that he or his business may be materially affected by the provisions of a plan. “ The Act also provides for the appointment of industrial committees,and in general it is proposed that the members shall be appointed by the Minister from within the industry, with probably some Government representative also. “ One of the most successful and interesting efforts of the bureau, and which may be taken as indicative of what may be done; was the completion of a plan for the rehabilitation of th« flax industry. An Industrial Committee was appointed, is now hard at' work, and may be relied upon, I think, to re-establish a valuable industry which had drifted into an almost hopeless position. I personally had the pleasure of explaining the plan t» meetings of growers, millers, and others interested in Auckland, Foxtbn, Wellington, and Invercargill, and know how satisfied they were with what was proposed to be done under the plan. “ Wide powers are given to the Industrial Committee of the industry. The plan is far away from any system’ of Government control.

“A plan will shortly be released for; the pharmacy industry. I mention these to show you that plans are not just forced on an industry but are prepared only after full discussions and representations. The _ desire of the Bureau of Industry is to co-operate with the particular industry coa« cernecl."