N.Z. INDUSTRIES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 62, 28 February 1929, Page 6

N.Z. INDUSTRIES

HIGH PROTECTION IMPRACTICABLE TRUE CO-OPERATION THE NEED PREMIER’S TALK TO MANUFACTURERS. Wellington, February 27. Speaking at the Manufacturers’ Federation luncheon to-day, Sir Joseph Ward said wonderful progress had been made by the secondary industries of the country in the period 1923-27. The number of persons employed had increased by 7 per cent, and wages by 24 per cent., while the total value of their products had increased by 12 per cent., and the value of plant, machinery, buildings and land by no less than 42 per cet. So far as the requirements of Government departments were concerned, the Government had given instructions that wherever practicable New Zealand-made goods should be used, and that in future New Zealand manufacturers were to be given the opportunity of tendering for the requirements of the different State departments. With regard to setting up a tariff board, the Government wanted to cooperate with manufacturers in securing such tariff as would best promote the interests of the whole country, and encourage the whole of the Dominion’s industries, but he did not believe that New Zealand could go in for anything like high protection. He belieevd that the interests of the manufacturers and farmers and the general public of the country were so intertwined that they needed to receive judgment and fairness in every way. Tlie Government would seek to remove difficulties from the path of all those, engaged in primary and secondary industries and to inculcate and encourage a spirit of true cooperation between them. The only way to reach the fullest development of the country’s indusries was by hearty co-operation between the producers in the country and dwellers in the town for the furtherance of industries and to give employment to people. Whether this could be aided by means of a tariff board, or by means of a commission going from time to time throughout the country, required to be considered.

What the Government would do. if it was allowed to do so, was to complete railways that should be completed and to bring about a system of land settlement whereby men who were unemployed would be able, with Government assistance, to establish themselves on the land—not on holdings of thousands of acres, but on small holdings—and permanently remote themselves from the itinerant ranks of excess labour. The Government was pledged against undue interference of the State in business. The Government would not take shares or any other interest in any private business, rft ho was surprised to find some people asking it to do. but,was out to secure fair play and the fullest opportunity for all industries in the interests of the whole of the people of the Dominion.