AIDING INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22413, 8 May 1936, Page 14

AIDING INDUSTRY

GOVERNMENT'S POLICY COMPETITION OF IMPORTS PROTECTION PROMISED REPLY TO MANUFACTURERS [BY TELEGRAPH —PIIESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINCiTON, Timrsdny An assurance that whatever remedies were necessary to protect the interests of the secondary industries of New Zealand would bo applied was given to a deputation representing the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, this afternoon. Tho deputation, which numbered about 70, consisted of manufacturers from all parts of the Dominion. "Customs may have to be revised, agreements arranged, or the definite licensing of imports adopted." said Mr. Savage, "but whatever steps are necessary to be taken arc going to be taken to protect you, those in your employ and tho interests of the people generally. I ask you to have a little patience and accept my word for it that we are never going to let you down." Tho Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash, and tho Minister of Industries and Commerce, . Hon. D. G. Sullivan, were also present. Mr. Nash reminded the deputation of New Zealand's obligation to the United Kingdom, and Mr.

Sullivan said he had given attention to the reactions the Government's industrial legislation might have on secondary industries. Manufacturers' Difficulties The deputation was headed by tho president of the federation, Mr. D. Henry, who pointed out that manufacturers were faced with tho possibility of a shorter working week and higher wages and they had to compete with companies that operated in New Zealand from overseas and were not faced with those costs. They were wondering how they were going to get business if their prices were too high to prevent traders from placing orders with them. Orders were going overseas at present. Many manufacturers were being pressed to take forward orders. 1 raders said that if prices were going up they should protect their future as much as possible. Manufacturers realised their responsibilities to staffs, continued Mr. Henry, and were loath to lose orders. They were being faced with the difficulty of being unable to quote firm prices and they did not know what steps were being taken by tho Government to protect them in view of higher wages and shorter hours. "We do not find fault with those, Mr. Henry said, "but we want some means of knowing how to conduct our businesses with the handicap of competing with overseas costs. We are genuinely concerned about tho future of our responsibilities which we have carried on without question for years past and we want some reassurance from you." The British Market Mr. Sullivan said the Government realised tho tremendous import of the question and he stressed the need for the Government having all the information that was required. Ho felt that as a result of the Government's policy the turnover of industry should be increased and the economic life of tho country stimulated. It must have some definite effect on purchasing power. A Voice: Importers of overseas goods will get it. Mr. Sullivan: I cannot speak for the Government, but importers will not get it if I have my way. Mr. Nash said it was necessary to extend secondary industries. Tho Government was out to help industry to got an adequate return. New Zealand was not exclusively dependent on the I*n itcd Kingdom for its standard of living, but he warned them of the danger of jeopardising the Dominion's £40.000,000 market in Britain. The Government would not allow in goods that could bo manufactured hero, but the country still must take goods from Britain in exchange for the credits there. They had to determine what goods those were to be and they would be goods that would be least harmful to the manufacturing industries of New Zealand

"We are not going to see our industries smashed," added Mr. Nash. Prime Minister's Assurance <■ Mr. Savage, after expressing confidence in tho future of the country, said: "You can take my word for it that New Zealand industries are going to live. We should do the fair thing by our kinsmen overseas, but we art) going to protect you against tho 'sweater* in your own household and w> will do whatever is necessary to protect you from the lower standards of other lands. We have to decide what methods we shall adopt to protect you and we are going to see that you are not exploited by men who find tho money.

"We have to decide quickly whether we are to increase our tariffs, what trado agreements aro to be made, and how much we can control exchanges. We aro not going to allow anyono to dictate our standard of living. That is a philosophy that any nation can accept. Whatever remedies may bo necessary for protection will bo applied. Wo can only build New Zealand when we lay the foundation correctly. We have done things other Governments have not cared to face and we are going to do still bigger things, bearing in mind the rocks ahead."