Production and Industry

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7470, 22 May 1934, Page 6

Production and Industry

Mr Forbes Talks of “Long-range” Planning What the government is DOING Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, Last Night. The "long-range” planning of production and industry in New Zealand was dealt with by Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes in an address to the New Plymouth Rotary Club. Mr. Forbes detailed some of the activities of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and of tho Government in building industries of the future. Mr. lorbos made only a brief reference to dairying, but made the announcement that an inquiry into tho marketing end of the business was proceeding at the same time as the inquiry in New Zealand. He quoted the improvements in flax oil, gold, wool, pelts and chilled moat as some of tho initial steps in a curefiilJy throi'ght-out campaign. The Government, he said, was also exploring new avenues of farming au( i I1C ” branches of existing industries, with provision for assistance to infant industries where desirable. Much as all individually disliked the idea of quantitative regulation of any primary industries, because of tho greater difficulties than in the case of non-perishable manufacture, it would be loolish to blind ourselves to the possibilities arising from the conditions laid down by overseas countries with regard to marketing, over which New Zealand had little or no control, said Hr. Forbes.. It was necessary to take a comprehensive view of industries and study the possibilities of increased stable employment in all avenues of industry.

The organisation ot' industry and the providing 0 f a policy required much thought and data. It was far more a “ longe-range” question than was generally realised and needed much researcdi into natural resources, much data regarding land utilisation and much accurate investigation into tho problems of production and marketing, not only for Government action, but as a basis for private initiative. Industrial Development Needed. “Only through industrial development will we find a permanent solution of the unemployment problem. The Government is taking all the action outlined in the statement issued when the Government announced it was cooperating with the commission and the Dairy Board in prosecuting in Great Britain adequate inquiries into consumer and market contacts. Certain arrangements are also in train for exploring other markets and other types of dairy produce suitable for these markets. “The experiments in chilled meat have shown that the difficulties of transport have been definitely overcome. 1 saw the first successful shipment arrive, it is probable that this beef, fed on New Zealand’s better pastures and in a better climate, will bo of a superior flavour. The chilled beef trade should be given the utilisation of much pasture, providing the land prices are satisfactory.

' New Zealand is already doing more i datively tfian any other country with regard to man-made forests and the future holds great possibilities for cellulose and plastic compounds manufactured largely from suitable timbers. It is largely a question of the proper utilisation of land. In addition to a lull study of forest products, extensive soil surveys have been made to determine the factors in various soils which aie a foundation ut these conditions and which tend to thriftiness of stock. The effective use of fertilisers of the appropriate kind has already helped the solution of the bush sickness problem ami certain types of malnutrition ia isolated parts of the South Island. “Experiments have delinitclv shown that areas of cultivated flax on the right type of land and with the good varieties which have been developed hold out real hope for rehabilitation of the industry. This is evidenced by recent favourable Admiralty trials. Gold Mining Developments. “Gold mining is another industry which is in process of rapid development and which can absorb much labour. 'The Mines Department is giving every encouragement to legitimate ventures. In addition, the Research Department has now, after patient research, developed geophysical methods which have proved in many cases of very important aid to sound and more economic prospecting by the drill. They have also indicated the possibilities of several new fields. “The Government also realises tho profound influence on transport and on the country’s welfare of the development of oil production in New Zealand. A thorough geological and geophysical investigation is necessary. Wc are taking steps to develop methods to simplify the search for oil and are placing ourselves in a position to assist the developments in the production of oil from coal when the developments have proceeded far enough technically. “Wc all need initiative, which, I am happy to state, is now being re-de-veloped in the people. The Government will do all in its power to assist sound enterprise in these directions, because it is only in this way that the future will be made more secure.” Waitara was visited by Mr. Forbes this afternoon, where tho school was inspected. At a civic reception Mr. Forbes paid a tribute to the work of the Mortgagors' Adjustment Commissions in arriving at adjustments for tho benefit of mortgagors and mortgagees. This evening Messrs Forbes and Masters attended the opening of the Central School jubilee.