PROGRESS MADE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20489, 25 February 1941, Page 2

PROGRESS MADE

DOMINION INDUSTRY MANUFACTURING TRADE MORE CRJgATED WEALTH PRAISE BY MINISTER IVui Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. “During the year 1939-40 very real progress was made in the manufacturing industries of New Zealand,” said the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, in an interview. “I have always insisted that New Zealand could develop her manufacturing industries and that, by doing so, we would provide greater opportunities for our peoples to fihd gainful employment.

“Then the created wealth due to the application of skill and the ingenuity of our people helps to strengthen the economic structure of our national life. Over the past five years the Dominion has added to the payrolls of productive industry an average of about 5000 persons annually. “I-have just received official figures relative to our manufacturing industries for the year ended on March 31, 1940,” continued Mr. Sullivan. “The story these figures tell is the story of real progress and despite the war situation steady gains have been made. For example, the number of persons engaged rose from 102,435 to 108,722, an increase of 6287 during the year under review. Salaries and wages paid rose by £1,190,539 to reach the figure of £24,460,549. An increase of £9,617,266 is recorded 'in the value of materials used, bringing this to £84,-: 961,407. The value' of products reached the total of £129,661,826 as against £113,691,556 for the previous year, an increase of £15,370,270. Added value, that is, the wealth created by our manufacturing industries, rose by £5,513,036, increasing from £38,607,383 to £44,120,419. Cause for Satisfaction “These figures demonstrate very clearly the measure of our progress and it will generally be agreed that the record of the year 1939-40 should give cause for satisfaction. More created wealth, more spending power in the hands of people, more and more goods pouring out of otir factories and workshops, and more opportunity for our young people. All these are represented in these figures and I cannot but express my admiration to the manufacturers who have made it possible. Their initiative co-operation and confidence have helped substantially in the mgrch of progress.

“I express, therefore, my deep appreciation of the position and I know that the work accomplished and in the process of being accomplished so far as the expansion of manufacturing is concerned will be very helpful in the great work of rehabilitation that awaits us when peace is restored.”