MANUFACTURING IN DOMINION

Southland Times, Issue 23736, 7 February 1939, Page 8

MANUFACTURING IN DOMINION

Development Advised

BENEFITS TO AUSTRALIA

QUOTED

(Special to The Times) AUCKLAND, February 6.

Advice to New Zealand to develop her secondary industries more extensively in the light of the boon they had proved in balancing the economy of Australia was offered by the Hon. E. W. Holden, M.L.C., of Adelaide, who was a through passenger by the Mariposa for America. Prominently associated with a big motor organization and chairman of the Associated Chambers of Manufacturers of Australia, Mr Holden was responsible for founding the motor body industry, which employs 10,000 workers and is recognized as the biggest secondary industry in Australia but one.

“It is possible that the new import legislation in New Zealand may be a blessing in disguise and have the effect of stimulating secondary industry,” said Mr Holden. “If it does it will be a good move from a national point of view. At the same time New Zealand manufacturers would be well advised to reorganize their factories and become as efficient as possible, so that production costs may be reduced to the lowest level.”

Referring to the contribution of secondary industries to the national income of Australia, Mr Holden said that had the country continued to rely on primary industries it would have been in the middle of a terrific slump because of low prices for wool and wheat. Instead, Australia had developed her secondary industries over the last few years with the result that it would probably never suffer again as it had done in the past. “We are very interested in New Zealand’s financial experiments and hope they will be successful,” continued Mr Holden. “Australia has gone the opposite way to regain sound orthodox finance and now it is hailed throughout the world as one of the soundest countries financially. Money is flowing into the country for investment from as far afield as Europe.” Developments in the Australian aircraft industry were also discussed by Mr Holden, who said that the first aeroplane to be produced by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation would probably be turned out within a week or two.