LICENSED INDUSTRIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 18 December 1936, Page 6

LICENSED INDUSTRIES

UNDER EFFICIENCY ACT THE PUBLIC INTEREST (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, 17th December. An announcement that the Government had licensed ten industries was made this afternoon by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan). Mr Sullivan stated that under the provisions of the Industrial Efficiency Act, 1936, certain industries had now been gazetted as licensed industries. Such industries could be carried on only pursuant to a license issued by the Bureau of Industry as provided in the Act. The “Gazette” notice in respect of this licensing was issued last Thursday, from which date the notice takes effect. Such notice relates to the following industries:— Manufacture of products consisting of a combination of asbestos and cement. Manufacture of rubber tyres and tubes for all types of vehicles. Manufacture of electric ranges, including the assembly of parts thereof. Importation and/or whole distribution of motor-spirit. Manufacture of pumps, or the assembly of parts thereof, for the distribution of motor-spirit. The retail sale and distribution of motor-spirit. The business of any chemist or druggist carried on by the keeping of any open shop or place for the compounding or dispensing of prescriptions. Manufacture of cement; Portland and other structural or building cement. Manufacture of rennet. Manufacture of phosphatic fertilisers.

The Minister emphasised that in respect to any industry that is already being carried on at the date of the notice, provided the industry is carried on without change 1 1 premises, no license is required until Ist December, 1938. Such date, however, can be varied by any subsequent notice in the “Gazette.” , . The Minister said that the effect of this provision is to exempt, in the interim, all existing units carrying on any of the industries named in the notice. . Where the industry concerned is a new one to New Zealand (for example, the manufacture of rubber tyres and tubes), the effect of this notice is, of course, that any unit desiring to carry on that industry-will need to procure a license.

REASONS FOR LICENSING “These industries have been gazetted in order to, carry out the pbjects and purpose of the Industrial Efficiency Act,” said the Minister. “With regard to the industries new to New Zealand, in each case several firms desire to commence the industry concerned, although it is obvious that to allow all such firms to commence would result in ‘cut-throat’ competition and needless waste. “In several instances the various persons interested as applicants for a license are agreed that there is only scope in New Zealand, upon an economic basis, for, sayi one or two production units. The Government desires to ensure that the industries concerned are on the right basis from their commencement rather than to wait until conditions might necessitate Government intervention and regulation.

“In respect of existing industries, those gazetted are all in which existing facilities are such that inquiries should be made as to whether in the national interest further units were desirable before any such units should be allowed to commence operations.”

PUBLIC INTEREST PARAMOUNT

The Minister stressed that in regard to licensing the public interest was paramount, although the purpose of the powers conferred by the Act was also to assist those engaged, or who wished to engage, in any particular industry. Under the provisions of the Industrial Efficiency Act the Government had, if required, power to control, in the public interest, the prices of the products of any industry, whether licensed or not.

In regard to the setting up of the Bureau of Industry as the licensing authority, the Minister stated that he would probably be in a position very shortly to announce the personnel of the bureau.

Applications for licenses required in accordance with the “Gazette” notice may be made to the Secretary of the Bureau of Industry, Department of Industries and Commerce, Wellington.