Place of Small Units in Industry

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 235, 5 October 1936, Page 6

Place of Small Units in Industry

Effect of Industry Efficiency Bill USEFUL PART TO BE PLAYED Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. The possibility of the Industrial Efficiency Bill leading to problems involving the independence of existence of individual firms in pursuit of the Government’s principle of co-ordina-tion in industries is not regarded by th« Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. D. G. (Sullivan) as a matter for present consideration.

Mr. Sullivan, m an interview yesterday, made it clear that ho was not ready to discuss this possibiiity, saying it was ono of the problems which would have to be dealt with by tho machinery to bo set up under the Bill. “It is Impossible for anyone to prophesy to what extent the same redundancy as at present would exist under a co-ordi-nated system, ’’ said Mr. Sullivan. “You may have smaller units m competition with larger units unablo to hold their own where they were attempting to give full service and to handle all the lines in an industry, but 1 can conceive that under a co-ordinated organisation in industry there would bo a useful part to be played by the smaller unit. It could devote itself to toiue special phase of activity of an industry which perhaps it could do efficiently. I think it may bo possible to find.a useful place in the scheme of things for the smaller units.’’ lie added that he did not expect to have to settle disputes between larger and smaller firms; such problems would be dealt with by agreement. A number of industries, including two or three of the largest, had over a number of months made lejiresentations to the Government ashing for legislation along the lines, of the Bill with particular reference to.coordination.