N.Z. INDUSTRIAL GROWTH

Grey River Argus, 14 December 1938, Page 3

N.Z. INDUSTRIAL GROWTH

GREAT SCOPE EVIDENT Mr Sullivan’s Statement [Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 13. ( Proposals establishment of seventeen possible new industries In, New Zealand, have been listed fori examination, by the Minister of In-, dustries and Commerce (Mr. Sulli-| van). Consideration has still to bej given to a number of these proposals. In addition to the promotion 'of new industries,. the Government’s expansion plan involves the enlargement of existing secondary industries. In an interview, Mr. Sullivan said .there were thirty branches of indusr try. that could' be expanded in one year, and another forty that could be enlarged in periods ranging from one to five years. Their expansion would depend on such factors as plant and equipment, supply of skilled labour, and the availability of materials. The Government’s aim in expanding industry was to provide a maximum of employment for New Zealanders and complete utilisation of the country’s resources. Data had been collected to enable arrangements to be made with various industries, and a large part would be played in the new economy by the establishment of those new industries, for which arrangements were now being considered. • ' . s . “Of course, these things cannot be achieved in five minutes,” said the Minister, “But a lot of work had been done for some time past, in building the foundations on which these superstructures will be reared. There is scope for beneficial action in each direction named, but there are also limits to. what can be done. We import substantial volumes of such things, for instance, as petrol and tea, which we cannot import from the United Kingdom, but there will be scope for the importation of increased quantities of raw materials for our expanded domestic industries from the United Kingdom. This will be a large, item -of the trade that will be worthwhile to Britain, whose New Zealand bond holders and traders will, I think, both benefit from the control steps recently taken. If we can get the iron and steel industry effectively established, that will be the most vital of all, having regard to the present importations and the auxiliary industries that would be commenced following the establishment of the major industry. “While we are preparing for expansion of industry presaged by the recent control measures,” concluded Mr. Sullivan, “I am pleased to say the Government’s publicity campaign in favour of buying Nevv Zealand goods is having a good effect. Many manufacturers are reporting ' large -extension of orders. lam grateful for the splendid support that up to the present has been accorded to that part of our efforts.”