OUR INDUSTRIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21069, 31 December 1931, Page 13

OUR INDUSTRIES.

EXCHANGE CONTROL. EFFECT ON IMPORTATIONS. DOMINION MANUFACTURES. POTENTIAL EXPANSION. The hope has been expressed by manufacturers that if importations aro to bo restricted as a result of tho new exchange control decision tho restrictions shall bo applied to articles that can bo satisfactorily manufactured in New Zealand. It has been stated that tho banks, having tho matter in their own hands, would be able to bring pressure to bear to stop tho importation of unnecessary luxuries. Interpreted as tho adoption of a policy of greater self-reliance, and apart from any other considerations, tho Government's decision marks a tendency that might be noted with good effect by New Zealanders as a whole. Great selfrelianco is not only possiblo but desirable, for the peoplo of tho Dominion have been content to rely upon overseas sources for many of tho things that can bo manufactured in their own country. Tho possibility that more of tho country's requirements will liavo to bo produced in New Zealand is one that manufacturers will find encouraging, for even where a largo measure of support has been forthcoming there has usually been a large margin for development that the manufacturer has been anxious to exploit. In tho meantime tho overseas competitor has been enabled to take advantage of this field, aided by the New Zealand purchaser. In the present days of high taxation and unemployment any move toward stimulating the Dominion's productivity must be welcomed. It has already been well demonstrated that productivity does not cease with the exploitation of primary resources as unmanufactured commodities, but that the process can be followed in New Zealand, as in other countries, along avenues leading to the finished manufactured article. The exporting of raw products, only to import them again in manufactured form, is an illogical and expensive process when tho complete operation can be done without the goods leaving the countrv. Apart from the costs involved being dissipated overseas when they could with advantage be retained in New Zealand, the factor of employment is one that should weigh very heavily with the purchasing public. Unemployment is a problem that everyone wishes to see determinedly tackled. A tragic feature is that many men at present unemployed are highly skilled artisans who, given work in the secondary industries, would be filling a vital niche in the Dominion's scheme of development and adding to the country's prosperity. Bv patronising local industries the public can do its share toward bringing this about. "BUYING BEITISII." CAMPAIGN IN HOMELAND. GREAT NATIONAL EFFORT. A special publicity campaign in the interests of Britisli trade was undertaken recently by the Empire Marketing Board, with the support and co-operation of Government departments and the leading national associations representative of British manufacturers, trade and commerce. The Empire Marketing Beard has always encouraged the public to "buy first tho produce of the Home country, a nd next the produce of the Empire oversea." Recent events have given a new significance to this policy, in its bearing on such vital matters as unemployment and the balance of trade, and tho counsel to "Buy Britisli," which the campaign was intended to enforce, is to-day supported by more compelling arguments than ever before. The message was given out through every agency that could bo enlisted. A million posters for window display were sent to i/11 employment exchanges and local offices, and from these 1200 centres and by other means they were distributed to every corner of the kingdom. The campaign was actively furthered by the Associated Chambers of Commerce, Federation of British Industries, tho National Union of Manufacturers, the National Chamber of Trade (Incorporated), the Incorporated Association of Botail Distributors, the National Federation of Iron and Steel Manufacturers, and some 50 other national and 150 local associations. The Ministry of .Agriculture -nd Fisheries wrote to all country branches o<

fhe National Farmers' Union and to :■ authorised packers under tho natio. ; t'. mark, urging them to take an active pa l in the campaign. Lord Mayors, Lord Provosts, Mayors and Provosts were asked by individual letters to forward the campaign in their areas, and the replies received were uniformly favourable. Lord Baden-Powell urged all commissioners of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides throughout the country to help with the distribution of posters to shops. The A.A. and R.A.C. distributed bills for display on motor-cars to all branch offices and patrol boxes. Over 25,000 sites for posters were offered by the railway companies and other owners of commercial outdoor advertising sites. Every post office displayed posters and posters were sent to 25,000 schools. The Ulster Industries Development Association prepared a special additional poster for use in Northern Ireland. 'I he Cinema Exhibitors' Association co-operated by displaying a special "Buy Britisli" fjlni—occupying two minutes of the pro gramme-—in 3000 talking theatres all ovei the. country. It is estimated that the message reached 13,000,000 people through this agency alone. The F. 8.1, group of British production companies also made special plans to co-operate in the campaign, the 8.8.C. promised its help and the British Legion enlisted tho interest of its 5000 branches. The Empire Marketing Board asked all who were able to ariange an effective ox hibitinn of the posters in shop windows or factories, on vans, or in of her prominent places throughout the country to co-operate in making a striking display throughout tho country, and thus make a distinctive personal contribution to the support of British trade and employment. PAIYMENT BY RESULTS. WORKERS IN RUSSIA. The demand by Socialists and Communists for equal wages for all, irrespective of the. quality or amount of work performed, is well-known, and when Communism was first introduced in Russia this principle was put into operation in all the State factories. As predicted by industrialists, the system has not worked, and the Soviet dictator, Stalin, stated in a recent speech that "a system of payment according to the workers' needs cannot be allowed. Workers must be paid strictly according to the amount and quality of the work they perform." This is exactly what economists and industrialists have been preaching for years, but the Socialists have refused to consider (lie doctrine. Now one of tho greatest Socialists of the age has frankly admitted that Socialism in industry will not work. It is a significant statement, coming from such a source. Another significant statement reported in the same speech is th<"* " hitherto there has hardly been any difference between the earnings of skilled and unskilled workers, and therefore the skilled have had no incentive to improve their qualification."