BENEFICIAL EFFECT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20802, 10 August 1937, Page 4

BENEFICIAL EFFECT

BUREAU’S ACTIVITIES A survey of the work of the Bureau of Industry set up seven months ago under the Industrial Efficiency Act was made on Saturday evening by the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister for Industries and Commerce, when he was opening the New Zealand Industries Fair in Christchurch. He claimed that the beneficial effects of the bureau’s activities were becoming increasingly apparent. “It is quite evident to me that the extensive investigations which have been carried out during the last six months in many industries and the discussions which have been held with representatives of those industries are now leading to finality and worthwhile achievement,” the Minister said. "A most pleasing feature is the evident change which is occuring as a result of direct discussions between bureau representatives and particular industries, in the attitude which I am quite aware certain groups of industrialists had adopted to the provisions of the Industrial Efficiency Act. “Where previously there was perhaps some hostility to and fear of what was termed bureaucratic control and enforced planning, and that attitude was undoubtedly based upon a misunderstanding of the provisions of the statute and the intentions of the Government, there now exists a most encouraging spirit of co-operation.” Mr Sullivan traced the development of the plan for the rehabilitation of the flax industry, and discussed the general outline of plans for other industries. The results he claimed as an indication of what could be achieved by co-opera non. He referred also to the manner in which the judging of the case of an applicant by his competitors was avoided by the system of industrial committees.