HELPING INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 20 October 1937, Page 6

HELPING INDUSTRY

EFFICIENCY MEASURES ADMINISTRATION OK ACT [From Our Own Parliamentary Reporter] WELLINGTON, This Day. Engaging in an exchange of words across the lloor o£ the House, the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) and the Hon. J. G. Cobbe (National, Oroua) contributed a lively phase to the discussion on the financial statement when this protracted debate was continued last night. Mr Sullivan said that Mr Cobbe when speaking a few days ago had appeared worried over the operation of the Industrial Efficiency Act, and had tried to create the impression that the Government intended to bring the farming industry within its scope. Mr Cobbe: The Government has the power to do it. Mr Sullivan That is a very different matter.

Mr W. J. Poison (National, Stratford): Why take the power if you don’t wish to apply it? Mr Sullivan: Would it surprise the lion, gentleman to learn that a number of the smaller primary producers have made application to be included in the provisions of the Act? I would like to ask if the Opposition, provided it got the opportunity, would repeal this legislation.

The Minister added that for an example of the successful administration of this Act,, the Opposition could look to the advantages it had brought to a North Island rennet factory. Protected from competition from powerful overseas financial interests, this factory had been able to establish itself and was now supplying an excellent product to the cheese factories of New Zealand at a price much cheaper than they could obtain elsewhere. Had it not been for the application of the Act and the protection it provided, this factory would have been undermined through having to engage in competition with firms that held it at a financial disadvantage. Mr Cobbe: Why threaten the farmers?

Mr Sullivan: I believe Mr Cobbe has been thinking about this Act so much that he can’t sleep. I can assure him the Act is being administered with the wisdom of Solomon himself. (Laughter.) The Minister added that the investigation of the fishing grounds of New Zealand had shown the value of the Industrial Efficiency Act. There had been an opinion that the Dominion had unlimited supplies of fish to draw upon. That opinion was far from correct. The possibility was that the steps which had been taken to conserve the supplies of fish would have to be continued for a further period.