PROTECTION FOR INDUSTRIES

Southland Times, Issue 23377, 8 December 1937, Page 6

PROTECTION FOR INDUSTRIES

CONSULTATION WITH GOVERNMENT EACH GROUP TO PRESENT ITS CASE (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 7. The announcement that the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation has been authorized to begin discussions with the representatives of the Departments of Customs and Industries and Commerce about every industry requiring protection was made by the president, Mr David Henry, of Auckland, at the annual conference of the federation today. He said that at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Association, the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) stated that it had been decided that the steps taken about footwear would be taken in reviewing other industries affected. This welcome news was confirmed yesterday when he had a talk with the Ministei’ of Customs (the Hon. W. Nash) and Mr Sullivan. The federation was now authorized to begin discussions with the representatives of the departments as stated. Each industry, as in the case of footwear, would set out its present position and justify by statements of costs the application which it would make for protection against imports now entering the country. “Accordingly, we bring to our annual conference something definite and tangible. I .therefore emphasize very strongly the need to complete our organizing of trade groups so that every industry will be able to state its position in a proper manner during the forthcoming discussions with the Departmental Committee.” DISAPPOINTMENT AT RESULTS Mr Henry said that, looking back over the year’s work, he thought his chief feeling was one of disappointment at the meagre results achieved. “When the Government took office we felt they were determined to push forward the manufacturing industries, not just to make it possible to keep existing factories busy, but also to help us to develop the manufacturing industries generally. Unfortunately some manufacturers have not been able even to keep all their staffs constantly employed through the year, and this position in time became so alarming that the solution of that problem finally took precedence over all others.” The simple facts were that little, if any, new development had taken place in industry, and even more serious was the outstanding fact that there were hundreds of people unemployed who should be working, but for the excessive importation of goods which could easily have been made by our own workmen. Fortunately there was also a bright side to the picture. There were still many busy plants in New Zealand, and while the present buoyant prices for exports continued there would be substantial demand for New Zealand-made goods which could not be so readily imported from overseas countries.

The fact of the Government having adopted a somewhat different policy from any of which they had any previous experience did not condemn it, said Mr Henry, but it was very important that they should understand it, and at that point they were faced with the position that they had never, so far as he knew, had any declaration of the full working policy presented to them. They were consequently left in a complete state of uncertainty about the future, which was fatal to industrial development. Stable conditions were the first essential of sound confidence and the very keystone of the business structure. If the Government would tell in clear, unequivocal terms what the future had in store for them they could shape their plans accordingly, and whether as individuals they agreed with the policy or not, at least they would have their feet on solid ground and have one of the problems removed.

He gave Mr Sullivan full credit for an increasing desire to help the manufacturers to the utmost extent, and felt sure that he would always represent their case to his colleagues in a way to merit most careful consideration.