EXPANSION DRIVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23280, 24 February 1939, Page 11

EXPANSION DRIVE

BUILDING NEW ZEALAND MR. SAVAGE'S TOUR AIMING TO' LEAD WORLD 3 CONDITIONS AND SERVICE [BT TELEGRAPH' —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Thursday Carrying out his intention of seeing at first hand what was being dono in local industries, the Prime Minister, 3lr. Savage, to-day inspected four Wellington plants. He was accompanied by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, who has been placed in charge of tho Government's drive for industrial expansion. He was a keen observer of everything that was going on, and in the course of brief addresses to employees assembled for that purpose he expressed his surprise at and appreciation of the work that was being dono jby local industry. ""I want to see exactly what is hap-

taming in our own country toward 'making our objective a reality," Mr. Savage said. "We want to build New Zealand, and I want to congratulate ■vour employers and yourselves on the part you are playing in building this iittle country. In my wildest dreams I aiever expected to see anything like I • Siave seen this morning." The Government had como in for a jot of abuse because of its control of '■imports, the Prime Minister continued. order to fill the gap created by the control of imports, it was necessary for .New Zealand to turn out more of the goods it used to import. Greater Share lor Producers ! "We have not only to keep industry £oing, but we have to keep increasing it Sail the time," he said. "When yon increase New Zealand production, you '<swill increase your own share of it. It 3s the Government's job and the job of those who employ you to see that that Biappens. You ' are working for yourselves in tho last analysis. I want to you are our friends. I do not want to impose conditions that we would not put up with ourselves. We want the best conditions and tho best service, and I think that New Zealand, as she has done in the past, will lead the rest of the world." Mr. Savage also pointed out that there was only one way by whiph to increase the standard of life, and that was to produce more of the things that went to make up that standard. There was this very important qualification, that those who produced more should get a* greater Share. He spoke of the need for building "New Zealand unlimited." . • "I can see no stopping place,' he said. "It was a revelation to see all the modern elements of machinery and to Bee humanity harnessed to them. It was a different thing to-day from what it used to be. However, it is up to us to get the best out of the machiue, and to see that the products of- the machine go to those who use it." Destined for Great Things Mr. Sullivan expressed his appreciation of the practical interest taken by the Prime Minister, who, he said, was intensely keen to build New Zealand manufacturing industries. Mr. Savage wanted to make himself personally acquainted with what was being done. "He has been surprised at what he has Been this morning," said Mr. Sullivan, ''but as he goes on he will be still further surprised." . Mr. Sullivan extolled the capabilities of New Zealandere, and said that, with the brains and adaptability of both employers and employees, the Dominion could turn out the equal of anything in the world. "Woriderful things are being done in this country," he added, "and, great , as hare been the things we have done in primary industries, we are destined to do even greater and bigger things in manufacturing industries."

DOMINION GOODS

CHANGING FROM IMPORTS .REASONABLE TIME NEEDED CONTACT WITH LOCAL GROUPS [by telegraph—owx correspondent] •WELLINGTON, Thursday An appeal to traders and manufacturers to give New Zealand factories Teasonable time to produce and deliver goods was made by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in a statement issued today. The Minister said that by custom and through necessity it had been and still was the practice for wholesalers, retailers and even domestic manufacturers themselves to allow a considerable time for delivery when placing orders for goods of all kinds that were to como from overseas. When these

6ame traders and manufacturers placed orders in New Zealand they appeared ,to expect that their requirements ' ' should be waiting on the shelves of the local factory and that they should be available without any delay whatever. ■ "I ask such buyers, is tliis fair and reasonable?" Mr. Sullivan continued. "If trade is not to be seriously interrupted by the change-over from certain imports to the use of goods produced in the Dominion, reasonable time • , must be given to our domestic factories to produce and deliver orders. I have been advised that 6ome retailers are already realising tLoir duty in this respect and are helping by ordering locally on an indent-basis." The Minister said that manufacturers 'fc'lio had not made contact with the - New Zealand Federation of Manufacturers in Wellington or their local associations in Auckland, Wellington, Cliristchurch, Dunedin and elsewhere, should do so immediately, because the Government was making its contacts in relation to the expansion of existing units through the federation, subsidiaries of which were local associations °r industry groups. Already about 80 groups had been in conference with the department's special industries com mi t- ; > tee.

' So that there would not be confusion or overlapping regarding the importation of raw or semi-manufactured lnaterials for local manufacturers, the 'Minister said, it would make for more efficient and speedy administration and prevent lengthy investigations if mainllecturers would continue to order their overseas requirements through agents, importers or merchants who had been accustomed to supply them in the past. It was again only fair that where a %rn had made certain overseas connections,' and bad rendered satisfactory sen-iee. it deserved consideration and continuation, as far as possible, of its iusincsis.