THEORY AND PRACTICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23117, 16 August 1938, Page 8

THEORY AND PRACTICE

Tho Government is never weary of declaring its determination to foster, encourage and promote New Zealand industries. Evidence of its good intentions came before the Auckland Manufacturers' Association yesterday in the form of circulars from the Department of Industries and Commerce offering free advice and inquiring about the utilisation of waste products. This demonstration of departmental solicitude appears pitiful and futile when people remember the many difficulties created for local industries by the very Government that proffers this doubtful assistance. Some idea.of the obstacles they have to overcome can be gathered from the remarks reported this morning of Mr. W. H. Barber, addressing shareholders of the Wellington Woollen Manufacturing Company. This firm employs New Zealand labour in working up New Zealand materials, yet Mr. Barber was able to show how it was being hampered in competition against imports for the local markets by higher labour costs and penal taxation. Company income tax for this concern amounted last year to 10 per cent of wages paid. Mr. Barber was justified—on the practice of the Government, but not on its professions—in saying that industrial companies are being treated more or less as if they were public enemies and in pointing out that official restraint of productive activity directly prejudiced the workers.