N.Z. INDUSTRIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 November 1938, Page 2

N.Z. INDUSTRIES

EXPANSION INVESTIGATION

[PEB PBESB ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, November 14. The announcement that a Cabinet committee was at present making an investigation to ascertain the scope for industrial expansion in New Zealand was made by the Prime Ministei (Mr Savage) in an interview: this evening. The possibility of further developing existing industries, iboth primary and. secondary, and of establishing new industries on an economic basis, will be investigated 1 by the committee.

Mr Savage’s announcement was made when he was invited, to comment on a statement by the secretary of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association (Mr A. W. Nisbet) in l a. Conciliation Council to-day to the effect that New Zealand manufacturers generally had not received the assistance from the Government they required, or had been led to expect. “We have a special committee ot the Cabinet working on this ' very question at the present time, and it Mr Nisbet would give some thought to devising a plan that would be helpful he would be helping the Government and; the manufacturers, too,said Mr Savage. “This _ committee is investigating the possibilities for the most- rapid increase in production we can have. The first thing it will investigate will be the position of existing industries. After ascertaining the extent to which the production of these can be increased, the committee Avill take steps to asceitain iwhat new industries can be started and economically developed in New Zealand. Its investigation will embrace both primary and secondary industries.”

STATE STEEL WORKS.

CHRISTCHURCH, November 14

The Mihister for Industries and Commerce, the Hoh. D. G. Sullivan, expects that by the end of January he Avill have sufficient data available on wiiich to decide definitely whether the Government will be warranted in continuing with the projected Onekaka iron and steel, industry. This was stated by the Minister in an interview. The visit of expert consultants from Great Britain has been held up pending a. further advance in developmental work, but if the reports the Government obtains in January warrant it, they will* be sent for.

“While I am not definitely certain as to the time when we will have sufficiently clear indications whether there is eijough ore to warrant the establishment of the. industry.” Mr Sullivan said, “I think Ave will probably be in this position about the end of January. When we have the information we are collecting at Onekaka and elsewhere, and assuming it is favourable, we will then decide to invite to New Zealand experts from England. We ivill have further consultations with those experts before proceeding with the establishment of the industry.”