THE COMPETITIONS NEW INDUSTRIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24698, 29 August 1941, Page 2

THE COMPETITIONS

NEW INDUSTRIES

METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT REASONS FOR PAST FAILURES The building up of industries in New’ Zealand was discussed by Professor F. P. Worley in an illustrated lecture entitled “Natural Resources in Industry,” at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Professor Worley pointed out how, before the War, the Government had brought about changes which meant that the country had to manufacture things previously imported. Some people thought this economically unsound, but the war had subsequently made it necessary. The Government’s actions therefore were really an advantage under the changed conditions brought about by the war. An enormous amount of work was necessary to develop any new industry, he said, and the expenditure of £5,000,000 by Germany in developing the process of converting coal to motor spirits and oil was instanced. A British company had spent £1,000,000 in a similar way, and if New- .Zealand wanted this process it would have tobe prepared to pay a large royalty and import the machinery and the people to work it. In the development of a new industry many, steps were necessary. First of all laboratory experiments, were carried out. Then a semi-indus-trial plant was erected in the laboratory and any changes necessary worked out. Next. One unit of an industrial plant would be established and further changes made. Only then would the full industrial plant be established. In New Zealand, the steps from laboratory to full industrial operation were usually attempted in one huge jump, and this was the reason for the failure of some industries.