NORTHERN ENGLAND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20283, 5 December 1935, Page 10

NORTHERN ENGLAND

DEVELOPMENT NEEDS Recommendations of an urgent nature to meet the immediate needs of the north-east of England, and for the future industrial development of the area, are contained in a memorandum which has been sent to the Government by the North-East Development Board, says the “Daily Telegraph.” The memorandum is signed by Viscount Ridley, chairman of the board, and twenty-six members. The board agrees with the Government policy against relief works as a permanent cure for unemployment, but believes that more must be spent temporarily in the north-east on these schemes, “particularly in view of the coming winter.” It suggests that work having a permanent value should be accelerated and extended. Other recommendations of the board are:— Creation of industrial estates with modern factory buildings. Formation of an organisation for financing new industries. Consideration by the Government of a policy to influence the location of new industries. Inclusion of the Tees district in the Special Areas. Increase .f the powers of the Commissioner for Special Areas. Increase 's also urged in the percentage of naval construction to be allotted to the area. It is pointed out that of the total value of warship construction on the Tyne and the Clyde and at Barrow in 1913, 50 per cent, was built on the Tyne, while in 1933 it received only 17 per cent. Practical proposals of the board to attract new Jr and more varied industries to the district include a reduction of the Public Assistance rate and an incre ,se of purchasing by Government departments in the area. The board is of the opinion that the financial load of Public Assistance is too heavy for an area which is attempting to reorganise after a period of depression. It states that it is imperative thdi, steps should be taken to reduce the burden, if not by making Public Assistance a national charge, then by a further “weighting” of the block grant on a basis of the percentage of unemployed to insured workers in the district concerned. Dealing with the suggestion that Government departments should buy a larger proportion of goods in the area, it suggests that-local firms should be encouraged to produce what is wanted with the knowledge that some form of preference will be given. The aircraft industry is the type which it is required to bring into the area. I