RAW MATERIAL IMPORTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 49, 26 January 1939, Page 7

RAW MATERIAL IMPORTS.

SCIENTIFIC SURVEY TLA*NED. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 25. In an endeavour to use to the greatest possible extent New Zealand raw materials in New Zealand manufactures, the Minister for Industries and Commerce (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) intends to institute a continuous survey of industry through the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, of which he is also Minister. In making this announcement, Mr Sullivan said that his recent inspections of factories had convinced him that many materials now _ imported could be manufactured in New' Zealand, or New Zealand materials so treated that they could be used instead of imported materials. ‘‘The job - of expanding manufacturing in New Zealand seems to me to be as much one for the scientific department as for the industries department.” he said. After, a tour of inspection of a brushware factory. Mr Sullivan said that an intensification of scientific

research in industry appeared to be vitally necessary. What lie saw, and vvliat he had seen in many other New Zealand factories, convinced him that many imports, especially from countries which bought little or nothing from New Zealand, could bo reduced or eliminated either by developing processes here, or finding substitutes. A continuous survey should lie undertaken by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research which could make its services available to industry as a whole.

Mr Sullivan showed particular interest in the products lie had examined, and inquired closely into the amount of New Zealand raw material and labour that went into those products. Ho, was told Chat certain classes of animal hair required in manufacturing bruslnvare wore produced in New Zealand, exported to countries that partly processed them, and were then reimported to form part of New Zealand manufactures. “That seems absurd,” he said. “It is not a matter of technical difficulty, hut is apparently entirely a matter ol' organising the market. “On my return to Wellington,” said the Minister, “I will go into the whole

question with Dr Marsden (Director of the. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) and other officers of the department, and see- if it is possible for them to maintain a continuous survey of industry. It might be possible to arrange for substitution of New Zealand materials for materials at present imported, or it might he possible to devise economic processing of New Zealand materials which are at present sent away for partial processing.”