PRODUCTION AND INDUSTRY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19805, 22 May 1934, Page 8

PRODUCTION AND INDUSTRY

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING By Telegraph—Pres i Association NEW PLYMOUTH, May 21. The long range planning of production and industry in New Zealand was dealt with by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) in an address to the New Plymouth Rotary Club. Mr Forbes detailed some of the activities of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Government in building up industries of the future. Mr Forbes made only a brief reference to dairying, but made the announcement that an inquiry into the marketing end of the business was proceeding at the same time as the inquiry in New Zealand. He quoted the improvements in flax, oil, wool, pelts, chilled meat and other products as some of the initial steps in a carefully thought out campaign. The Government. he said, was also exploring new avenues of farming and new branches of existing industries with a provision for assistance to infant industries where desirable. Quantitative Regulation. Much as all individually disliked the idea of the quantitative regulation cf any of the primary industries because of the greater difficulties than in the case of non-perishable manufactures, it would be foolish to blind ourselves to the possibilities arising from the conditions laid down by overseas countries with regard to marketing over which New Zealand had little or no control, said Mr Forbes. It was necessary to take a comprehensive view oC industries to study the possibilities of increased stable employment in ail avenues of industry. The organisation of industry and the providing if a policy required much thought and data. It was far more a “long range” question than was generally realised. It needed much research into natural resources and much data regarding land utilisation, much accurate investigation into the problems of production and marketing, not only for Government action, but as the basis for private initiative in developments economically and technically sound, and, which would give promise of permanent employment. Only through industrial development would we find a permanent solution of the unemployment problem. The Government was '•taking all the action outlined in the statement issued when the commission was announced. It was co-operating with the commission and the Dairy Board in prosecuting in Great Britain adequate inquiries into consumer and market contacts. A certain arrangement was also in train for exploring other markets for other types of dairy produce suitable for these markets. Pasture Utilisation. The experiments with chilled meat had shown that the difficulties of transport had definitely been overcome. “I saw the first successful shipment arrive,” continued Mr Forbes. “It is probable that this beef fed on New Zealand’s better pastures * and in a better climate will be of superior flavour. The chilled beef trade should give utilisation to much pasture, providing that land prices are satisfactory. New Zealand is already doing more relatively than any other country with regard to man-made forests, and the future holds great possibilities for cellulose and plastic compounds manufactured largely from suitable timbers. It is largely a question of the proper utilisation of the land. In addition to a full study of forest products extensive soil surveys have been made to determine the factors in various soils which are the foundation of the conditions which tend to the thriftiness of stock and the effective return from fertilisers of the appropriate kind. Generally the productiveness of different forms of agriculture has already helped to a solution of the bush sickness problem and certain types of malnutrition in isolatel parts of the South Island. Experiments have definitely shown that areas of cultivated flax on the right type of land and with the good varieties which have been developed hold out real hope for the rehabilitation of the industry. This is evidenced by the recent favourable Admiralty trials. Gold and Oil. “Gold mining is another industry which is in the process of rapid development and which can absorb much labour. The Mines Department is giving every encouragement to legitimate ventures. In addition the Research Department has now, after patient research, developed geophysical methods which have proved in many cases a very important aid to sound and more economical prospecting by the drill. They have also indicated the possibilities of several new fields, we also realise the profound influence on transport and on the country’s welfare of the development of oil production in New Zealand. A thorough geological and geophysical investigation is necessary, and we are taking steps to develop methods to simplify the search for oil and placing ourselves in a position to assist developments in the production of oil from coal when developments have proceeded far enough. Technically we need all the initiative which I am happy to state is now being redeveloped in the people. The Government will do all in its power to assist sound enterprise in these directions, because it is only in this way that the future will be made more secure.”