INITIATIVE FOR INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23201, 22 November 1938, Page 10

INITIATIVE FOR INDUSTRY

Auckland manufacturers showed in their discussion yesterday complete readiness to entertain proposals from the Government for improving the competitive position of New Zea* land's manufacturing industries. There was some discussion fits to whether the association itself should not take the initiative in order to expedite the business, which the current difficulties of industries has made urgent. The fact is, however, that the difficulties have been created in the main by the Government's policy, and it is for the Government to say what proposals it has for correcting the present position. Recent statements by the Prime Minister suggest that the manufacturers' problems are appreciated and that action is contemplated. Something much more definite is needed, however, and the Government should state what it has in mind. A basis for discussion would then be provided in preparation for the proposed conference between the Government, manufacturers and trades unions. Such a conference should be productive of practical results, given two conditions. The first is that all parties should enter it in a spirit of goodwill and mutual helpfulness, and the second that the ground should be carefully worked over in advance. Too many conferences convened in hope and with excellent objectives fail for lack of thorough preliminary preparation. The Government should make the initial contribution to the fulfilling of that condition by placing its proposals before manufacturers and unions with a request for consideration and any further suggestions, to the end that the conference might meet with a prepared agenda promising a positive outcome.