Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1931. NEW INDUSTRIES BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2766, 24 August 1931, Page 4

Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1931. NEW INDUSTRIES BOARD.

DECLARING that the Government was not neglecting opportunities to develop industries, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, stated in the House recently that a Development of Industries Board' was to be appointed. It would be a combination of representatives from the Departments of Scientific and Industrial Research and Industries and Commerce, together with one or two outside members capable of giving assistance. The announcement may be the forerunner of new industrial and commercial enterprise, and the turning point in New Zealand’s history as a trading country, but, on the other hand, it may be merely a gesture intended to impress the public that the Government is doing something about the slump. The public is weary of Government committees, commissions and boards, and while much of the caustic comment which this announcement has already provoked may be political propaganda there is justification for the complaint that there are already too many boards, and the idea that there is really nothing significant in the latest Government move. ' If the Government is merely setting up a new body to make reports which will find their .final resting place in departmental pigeon-holes, such scorn will prove merited. But if the Government is truly impressed by the n’eed for increased production and greater industrial activity, and is ( deeply conscious of the potentialities of this country, the new board may prove, to be all we have suggested and more. In the Department of Industries and Commerce the country has a valuable market research organisation, which has issued some interesting reports, particularly on the prospects of development of trade with the Far East. After one has perused such reports, one has Ijacl a happy feeling that the future of this country is only just beginning, and that there is immense scope for the employment of capital and brains and man power by this Dominion. But when months and years pass and nothing more is heard of the subjects, one’s enthusiasm becomes chilled. .In the Scieintific and Industrial Research Department the country has another most promising organisation. It was an inspiration to read the report of the head of that Department, Dr. Marsden, when he outlined his activities and hopes before the National Dairy Conference. 'His lecture did a tremendous amount of good, for it opened ,the eyes of farmers and other laymen to the dependence of all branches of industry upon science for a future of increasing development and prosperity. But in this connection the fear again arises that the full value of the work may be lost, or its beneficial effects unduly delayed, because it has to wait upon the pleasure of politicians. A board such as the Minister suggests, however, can, if it is permitted by the Government and provided with some active powers, provide that motive force which is at present lacking. If it is not permitted to exercise leadership and organising ability it might as well not have been brought into being. The latest bulletin of the Canterbury College Department of Economics states definitely that unemployment can be reduced and prosperity regained only by an increased measure of production and a reduction of costs; and it further, suggests that .New Zealand has sources of productive wealth so far untouched. Everybody can realise the need of this country for greater production and, if the Government plays the part with courage instead of timidity, many people will find grounds for fresh hope in the appointment of this = new board. It is essential to the realisation of such hopes, however, that the board should have authority to coordinate the work of the two departments with the enterprise of the public and the encouragement of the Government.