INDUSTRIES OF DOMINION

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1929, Page 2

INDUSTRIES OF DOMINION

INQUIRY SUGGESTED,

iVVHY YOUTHS ARE UNEMPLOYED.

WELLINGTON, August 21

It is recommended in the annual report of the Department of Industries and Commerce, that a general investigation should be made into the industries of New Zealand. This investigation, it is suggested, should be conducted by a mission, comprising in its personnel men of in industry, finance - and dcopomics. Side by side with the setting-up of this, mission it is further recommended, that a delegation from the Dominion should he appointed under the auspicies off the Government to visit the Mother Country, and perhaps, Canada, to study industrial enterprises, and interchange views with leaders of . industry in those countries. New' Zealand manufacturers are undoubtecl}y ,f de'sifous of keeping up ,to date, in their methods, and many enterprising manufacturers”’ have already paid visits to the Motherland, and have greatly benefited. New factory equipment has been purchased, and new ideas incorporated, but • it is felt, in the Department’s view, that a well-organised delegation could in a short period of six to eight months' make a tour, a.nd prepare a, report; for general publication, which; would be invaluable to the Government,' the maniir facturers and the-people generallyDEVELOPMENT, RETARDED.

It is regretted;'thht- the /Department is unable to say.of the \mariutfacturing industries cenerallv :tixat .they continue

to show steady and healthy j ment. In particular cases this develop- . ment has taken place, but taken in the mass progress in industry is not buoyant. The Department has been closely associated with important economic'investigations into the timber and foot- ! wear industries. It can be claimed' with'' confidence that v these definitely shown,’ f hfit mjichi be done by' an v surveyl existing conditions. In thp case of-tpe, l . timber industry ijie committee compiished a jrfQ»t-* ; iinpof^antjiWJ?EjE; ; inducing sawmillers ’ to adopt a^n^W - ,! scheme of classification and grading ; ,(jf.; • New Zealand timbers for Govbrnineht'v use, and in the’/case of industry much useful •iiCoimintion--.',ha i S I. been gleaned which should : assist manufacturers, in the, direciipp,‘s.f4; the adoption of more efficient of manufacture. ’ • .' .u' ,''! METHODS OF MARKETIN&.•; ’ ! Methods of marketing .and requirements haye also b een clpsely . studied by committees, : .and : it is .vfelV that important assistance can be'given to the industries concerned, particularly in bringing about closer co-operation between those engaged in manufacture and those concerned with distribution. The call, however, made, upon the tinie of officials and representatives' df the industries concerned has been rather greater than anticipated, and if quicker results are to be obtained it will, be necessary that the work should be done by men appointed for the particular purpose, who' Will be able to concentrate upon the.' collection of evidence, the making of "the inspections of factories and plants, and the drawing-up of reports and recommendations.

With the check experienced' to the expansion of industry.'' recently,’-. the Department urges that the, ■ time , has arrived for A general investigation id be made; into the -industries'df, .Nek Zealand: k'kk;'-’'

FALSE IDEA OF STRENGTH. I / “ Our isolation from the great manufacturing countries'of. the world may have given us a false idea', of our strength,, and Jack of appreciation of the problems of ’ the'present and the future,” continues the report. ‘‘ The proper perspective pan only be obtained by the work of such a delegation. Three questions df outstanding domestic importance are involved in the inapprenr ticeships,- hnd lack ,of investment in. industry. That industry could absorb a very much; larger number of men and young people* is unquestionable, provided . stability' could., be given, It can be daijpiedj, that such employment, with few exceptions, runs . over. Vthe .whole year, a|d fhnt. it is,,therefore, not ..subjected th f the seasonal.fluctuations ,ot farm work. v- “ lb is also unquestionable that; from the apprenticeship point Tof view alone, the need for investigation is very necessary. One of the outstanding features of industry during the last three years has been its inability to employ lads are leaving school, many'of them possessing,, valuable training gained a*t bur "technical schools. Applications'for* work by v lads, particularly at the close of the school year, have increased greatly,' and parents are much perturbed by their inability to secure useful employment for their boys. It is most desirable, therefore, that th# opportunities for boys and girls leaving . school should be widened.

These '.opportunities .can be afforded by v extension of existing industries, apd the creation of. new ones.” The lack df investment in industry' is a matter;, which has brought forth a good deyl of nnblie oomoient, especially in view, of the fact that there appears to be so much capital available awaiting investment. In particular cases there is no lack of financial support, but it is considered that the reasons why some industries sadly lacking capital cannot secure it readily should be one of the main matters for investigation by the mission suggested.