IS IT RATIONALISATION OR SOCIALISATION?

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20535, 29 September 1936, Page 6

IS IT RATIONALISATION OR SOCIALISATION?

Ostensibly designed to bring about “co-operation between the State and industry” the industrial efficiency proposals outlined in the Bill presented in the House of Representatives in the last hour of Friday’s session of Parliament, may mean the complete subjugation of industrial enterprise in New Zealand to the control of the State or just what the name of the measure suggests. The result may mean State factories, and what not! The Minister of Industries and Commerce, who explained the measure to the House, indicated that its purpose was to reorganise industry so that it might become more scientific, more unified and more efficient with the object of rendering the maximum of service to the people in the way of employment and reasonably priced good quality commodities. It is proposed under the Bill that through representation on committees of industry and the Bureau of Industry, the State, the employers, and the workers in each industry will co-operate in formulating and carrying out plans to achieve the end in view—the end in view being the general welfare of all the people of New Zealand as affected by every individual industry, and by industry as a whole, and not. merely the welfare of the employers and workers engaged in a specific industry. Explaining the measure the Minister tells the country that after a survey of the field of industry in more experienced countries, he finds that they are applying science in increasing degree, applying standard specifications and applying the principle of co-ordination. The Bill now before the country provides the machinery for promoting the work of applying science, applying standards and applying co-ordination to industry. As a matter of fact, the Bill provides for something very much more dangerous than the introduction of modern methods in the establishment, control and development of industries in New Zealand. The Minister proposes to set up another licensing authority! Boards have gone into oblivion, and are being replaced, in this case, with a Bureau of Industry. The Bill then provides for the licensing of industry when it may be seem desirable to apply the principle. And who is to determine when it is desirable for the Bureau of Industry to apply the principles of the Bill? The Minister proposes that all the permanent officers of the Bureau of Industries would be Government officers. In other words, the suggestion is solemnly offered that a set of Government officers will know more about everyone of the thousand and one industries now active in New Zealand, than the people associated with them. Happily, however, the Minister admits that while the proposed scheme for the co-operation between State and industry “gave possibilities of immense service in the organisation of industry,’’ lie could see that “il unwisely handled where there was licensing it could be equally productive of harm.” The Bill contains measures so farreaching in consequences that it ought to be closely studied by every investor, every employer, every worker and every member of the community who comes within the category of consumer. The Minister proposes, not only to take authority to demand all information he considers he requires, but he would take authority Io determine, merely by notice in the Gazette, the luture ol any industry now in existence in New Zealand, lint having provided for all contingencies that may arise in the implementing of this further measure of State control, the Bill provides that, “the Governor-in ( ouncil may make all such regulations as in his opinion are necessary or desirable for the purpose of giving effect to

the intent and purpose of the Bill.” It is obvious, however, that any measure containing such sweeping proposals and investing the Minister and the Bureau of Industry (composed solely of Government officers) with dictatorial authority, ought, as suggested by the Independent Member for Nelson, to be postponed until next session because of the limited time at the disposal of Parliament and the people directly and indirectly concerned, to give the Bill that searching examination that such proposals demand.