SUPPORT LOCAL INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 7 December 1938, Page 6

SUPPORT LOCAL INDUSTRY

IT is probably merely a coincidence that the Government’s Road Safety Week campaign was launched almost simultaneously with the intensive effort by the Government to stimulate the expansion of the Dominion’s manufacturing industries. Yet both campaigns may be said to deal with safety one with safety of life and limb; the other with economic and financial safety. Both are causing concern. With Mr Semple’s admirable endeavour to minimise road accidents and their toll on human life we have frequently dealt in our editorial and news columns. The broadcasting service as well as the Press has been and is being comprehensively utilised. Some more comment may now be given to the appeals for the public to assist in industrial expansion, which are part of the wider appeal for general increased production, primary and secondary, with workers and employers co-operating to the fullest possible extent, and avoiding irritating industrial troubles which cause wage loss and diminish production. All sections are being appealed to in the interests of the common weal—producers, whether employer or worker, and consumers. At this juncture it is of little avail to repeat that the major cause of the difficulties under which industry is suffering—primary and secondary is the legislation of the Government in power which has increased costs. This legislation has undoubtedly given benefits to some, but however admirable its broad objective may be, is producing unwelcome results to many to-day, and possesses prospective undesirable repercussions of an ominous nature. The position is clearly causing concern to the Government as well as to business circles. Hence the Government’s campaign designed to stimulate secondary industries, a pre-Christmas effort to encourage the spending of more New Zealand-made money on more New Zealand-made goods. This is another appeal to the people. It is to the same people, a majority of whom endorsed the Government’s policy in October j last, though there were probably [

i many who did not fully realise all | that policy involved. The fact re- 1 ; mains that the Government cannot be expected to suddenly reverse its policy at this stage. So it makes an earnest appeal for the j country to support it by buying more freely of its own manufactured goods. It does not advance any policy proposals to assist secondary industries. Its appeal is on wide and general lines and it is in the interests of the people to support the effort, although many may ask, if imports from Britain are excessively curtailed by adherence to the “Buy New Zealand” slogan, what will be the effect on our exports on our best market? It is clear, however, that support for the new appeal will assist the local manufacturer, who, however, would also like help in other directions to enable him to messi the com- , petition of more cheaply- j : I produced imported goods. But should not some return be given by the local consumer for hi 3 higher wages and shorter hours? 1 I Even if these have increased the cost of living, should they not be , productive of some measure of i sacrifice—if it is a sacrifice? It is claimed by the Minister of Industries and Commerce that some twenty-four millions of increased spending power has been made 1 available to the people, yet only one-third of this has gone into 1 our own factories. The buyer should realise that it is to his in- j terest that New Zealand’s industries should succeed, for without ] their success it would be very : difficult to maintain our admitted- ' ly high standard of living. With- ' out the support of the people the New Zealand manufacturer will ■ be unable to succeed. He must ( have security in his home market. r More is involved if the Govern- t ment’s objective is to be attained. 1 The manufacturer—business men ! generally— must be encouraged to | extend their operations. Plant and production cannot be increased unless there is a greater f feeling of confidence in the future J of capital and investment than , exists to-day. Nevertheless, while t the unsatisfactory position to-day i may be due to political causes, the s people of the country are being shown the way to effect improvement. It is earnestly to be hoped 1 that the present appeal will meet j with the desired response and that r the "instilling of a psychology of i: New Zealand mindedness” will t be achieved. 1