LOCAL INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 70, 20 February 1939, Page 8

LOCAL INDUSTRY.

STIMULATION PLAN

RAW MATERIAL SURVEY

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 20.

A statement that, following the import restrictions the work of stimulating local industries to fill the gap was proceeding satisfactorily was made by Hon. D. G. Sullivan to-day. The Minister 6aid that every effort was being made to ensure that the necessary raw materials were made available. The manufacturing committee had alreadv met the representatives of eightv firms and industries to ascertain their resources and capacity to meet a larger market. Questions of finance, supply of labour, marketing and the maintenance of standards without price increases had all been discussed.

Mr Sullivan said special attention at the moment was being given the question of training labour for skilled occupations. The New Zealand Standards Institute was also busy on the task of either preparing New Zealand standards or adjusting overseas standards to ensure that quality was maintained. The subject of output per unit of lal>our was receiving .attention. National organisations of lalxnir had expressed willingness to co-operate with the Government with a view to securing the best output possible. This was one of the most important aspects of the whole problem of readjusting Now Zealand industry to meet the new responsibilities that had been imposed upon it. If the co-operation of the workers in stimulating the output to meet the needs of the country was withheld, the effort now being made to produce the goods required would not succeed. He was pleased to say this fact was realised by t.lie leaders of labour. The Minister appealed for the full co-operation of all to do their very best in the production of goods and services, and thus enable the Government and people to build a stronger economy in New Zealand. SUBSTITUTION PROCESS.

A survey by officers of the Department of Industrial and Scientific Research to ascertain to what extent it is possible to substitute local for imported raw materials will be begun this week, according to an announcement by Mr Sullivan. The Minister, referring to the recent import restrictions, said these had raised many interesting problems regarding raw materials for the further development and expansion of local manufacturing industries. Scientific research would have to play an important part in the solution of these problems. The raw materials required might bo roughly classified into four classes —raw material produced in New Zealand and of a desirable standard of quality; raw material produced in New Zeuland, but which at present is not up to the desired standard for certain higher-grade articles; raw materials at present imported but which might now be produced locally; and raw materials which must still be imported. Mr Sullivan said he would he glad if any cases of difficulty regarding raw materials could lie brought to the notice of the department to enable such advice and information as was available to be given, and to provide for the investigation or research necessary for the successful foundation of manufacturing industries utilising these raw materials in the immediate future.