DOMINION’S PROGRESS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12298, 18 November 1925, Page 11

DOMINION’S PROGRESS

CONVINCING FIGURES INCREASE IN MANUFACTURING i PROSPEROUS YEAR PREDICTED Par Pres* Association DUNEDIN. November 17. In the course of to-day’a address at the Exhibition opening tne Hon. J. G. Coates gave some statistics dealing with the Dominion’s progress since the International Exhibition at Christchurch in 1906. 'The figures for that year and 1924 were quoted as follow: Manufacturing concerns: (1906), 3617; (1924), 4461. Manufacturing emplorvees: (1906), 50,205; (1924), 77,461. ' Wages and salaries: (1906), £4,118, 621; (1924), £14,573,441. Materials used: (1906). £12,722,720; (1924), £47,027,033. Total products: (1906), £22,4.25.000 U 924), £76,996,397. In the same period the value of production in the following industries in creased as follows: Industry. Increase. Engineering and Agricultural Implements £1,613,006 Clothing £2,091,000 Printing £1,555,000 Biscuit-making and Confectionery £2,020,000 Furnishing £BOO,OOO Woollen £1,025,000 Tanning, Woolscouring and Fellmongering ... £1,000,000 Mr Coates added: ‘ ‘These figures aro impressive, especially when we remember the Dominion is still to a very large extent in the development stage. They show that our manufacturing industries are increasing in importance, and becoming an appreciable factor in the economic life of our people. INDUSTRIES DEVELOPING •‘X have thought it useful to call attention to this important part of our industrial activities because sometime* New Zealand is considered a purely producer of agricultural and pastoral products, such as wool, meat, butter, and cheese, while the fact that our secondary industries are so steadily developing hand in hand with the growth of our great primary production often lost eight of. A good purpose is served hy a demonstration to our farming community to what extent our manufacturing industries are growing in importance. It is well also to remember that the progress and prospei ity of the Dominion, generally, its largely dependent. on the active cooperation of town and country.” Turning to the general outlook as far as the Dominion is concerned, Mr Coates said the revenue for the sev eu months of the financial year ended October 31st, and excluding the rnilwal receipts, amounted to £9 927,620, being a net increase of £658,013 over the corresponding period last year. The net expenditure, again eliminating the railways, was £12,027,563, an increase of £552,288. The Prime Minister remarked that these figures disclosed a healthy condition of public finance, and there was every reason for predicting a prosperous year for the Dominion.