DISTRESSED AREAS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 March 1937, Page 8

DISTRESSED AREAS

PROVISION FOR LOANS [BY CABLE —PBESB ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] (Recd. March 2, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 1. The Government announce provision for loans, to, the extent of £2,000,000 to new undertakings which are being established in the distressed areas; also details of explosive or filling factories the Government is establishing in these areas. One, in Lancashire, will cost £6,000,000.

£3,500,000 ON ESTIMATES

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

(Recd. March 2, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, March 1

A White Paper stated: The time has now come when, with the aid of some financial assitance, directly applied, it will be possible to introduce into the areas new industrial undertakings of a light type, and thus provide more stable, because more diversified, employment.

Other measures to facilitate the establishment of new industries include authority to the Commissioners to let factories, and to contribute for periods not exceeding five years to incometax, rates, and rent of the new undertakings established with theii’ approval and also to contribute towards the expenses of certain street works and field drainage works. The sum of £3,500,000 for the fund is included in the estimates fox - 1937. Up to the present time, the work of the Commissioners has been concerned both with social improvement and with the creation of conditions favouring a revival of industry and the introduction of new industries. The White Paper mentions that between April, 1935 and November, 1936, contracts worth £41,000,000 have been placed by the Defence'" Departments alone, in preferential areas, of which tptal £25,000,000 has gone to the special areas groups.

LABOUR CRITICISM. LONDON, March 1. Labour members of the Commons severely criticise the White Paper on the depressed areas, which the “Daily Herald” calls a “Black Paper,” Mr Dalton describes the measures as inadequate, and the finance as grossly insufficient. The. Government were only providing as much for the encouragement of new industries as Lord Nuffield, whose gift of two £2,000,000 is recalled.