DEVELOPMENT OF MANUFACTURING

Southland Times, Issue 24369, 25 February 1941, Page 4

DEVELOPMENT OF MANUFACTURING

PROGRESS REPORTED BY MINISTER INCREASE OF 6287 IN NUMBER OF WORKERS (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, February 24. “During the year 1939-40 very real progress was made in the manufacturing industries of New Zealand,” said the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, in an interview. “I have always insisted that New Zealand could develop her manufacturing industries, and that by doing so we would provide greater opportunities for our people to find gainful employment then. Created wealth, due to the application of the skill and ingenuity of our people, helps to strengthen the economic structure of our national life. Over the past five years the Dominion has added to the payrolls of productive industry an average of about 5000 persons annually. “I have,” said Mr Sullivan, “just received official figures for our manufacturing industries for the year ended March 31, 1940. The story these figures tell is a story of real progress, and despite the war situation, steady gains have been made. As an example the number of persons engaged rose from 102,435 to 108,722, an increase of 6287 during the year under review. Salaries and wages paid rose by £1,190,539 to reach the figure of £24,460,549. An increase of £9,617,266 is recorded in the value of materials used, bringing this to £84,961,407. The value of products reached the splendid total of £129,661,826, as against £113,691,556 for the previous year, an increase ot £15.370,260. Added value, that _is wealth created by our manufacturing industries, rose by £5,513,036, increasing from £38,607,383 to £44,120,419.

MANUFACTURERS PRAISED “These figures demonstrate very clearly the measure of our progress, and it will generally be agreed,” Mr Sullivan said, “that the record of the year 1939-40 should give cause for satisfaction. More created wealth means more spending power in the hands of the people. More and more goods are pouring out of our factories and workshops. There is more opportunity for our young people. All these are represented in these figures, and I cannot but express my admiration to the manufacturers ■who have made it possible. Their initiative, co-operation and confidence have helped substantially in the march of progress. I express, therefore, my deep appreciation of the position. and I know that the work accomplished, and in the process of being accomplished, so far as the expansion of manufacturing is concerned, will be very helpful in the great work of rehabilitation that awaits us when peace is restored.”