PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND

Southland Times, Issue 24368, 24 February 1941, Page 4

PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND

Proposal To Form Council EFFORT TO SECURE COOPERATION (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 23. A proposal for an economic council to survey, advise on and, to some considerable extent, guide the productive and industrial activities of the Dominion during the war period and thus still further increase efficiency of the war effort was announced by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, today. “This matter has engaged my attention for some time.” he said, “and during the past week 1 mentioned the matter to my colleagues in the Government and the War Cabinet and also brought it to the notice of the Parliamentary Labour Party caucus during the week. I hope to discuss the project with representatives of the Federation of Labour, representing the trade unions and the Employers’ Federation, as well as with others interested during the next week. I mentioned the proposal incidentally to a representative deputation of manufacturers who waited yesterday on Mr Nash, Mr Sullivan and myself. “The Government probably in the near future may call a conference similar to the Economic Stabilization Conference held in September _ and October last with a view to obtaining the support of all concerned for a truly national co-operative effort, in directing which the Government, Parliament and employers’ and workers’ organizations representing all branches of industrial activity, primary and secondary, will participate. “Possible developments in the various fields of war which may detrimentally affect New Zealand shipping and consequently our exports and imports and the whole national .life. may, and probably will, make inevitable economic difficulties and sacrifices. If New Zealand is to emerge from such trials with her economic and social standards intact or recoverable there must be organization, co-operation and goodwill among all people of the countrv. particularly those directly engaged in industrial activities. Many and complex problems affecting workers, including a shortage of skilled labour, as well as materials, demands greater co-operation and, if need be, control, but to be thoroughly efficient that control should be self-accepted and sell-operated. How this can best be achieved, whether by a thoroughly representative economy council or otherwise, would be the main business of the conference when called.”