TYRE INDUSTRY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 190, 12 August 1931, Page 7

TYRE INDUSTRY.

Objection to a Close Corporation. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, August 11. Complaints from the member for Avon (Mr Sullivan) that the Government had not encouraged the formation of a tyre manufacturing company in Christchurch were answered in the House by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon P. A. de la Perrelle, who detailed the proposed company’s requests for protection. “This industry,” said the Minister, will import its rubber from Singapore, and the promoters made a recommendation that there should be an extra duty on English tyres so as to protect their industry, also a request that no company should be permitted to establish a similar industry in New Zealand for a number of years. “If any member of another party had made such a proposition,” declared the Minister, “ I am quite sure that the member for Avon and other members of the Labour Party would have taken considerable exception to such a close corporation.” The Industries and Commerce Department, concluded Mr de la Perrelle, was quite enthusiastic in helping industries along, but it had to be realised that the Government could not assist where there was no hope of success. Many industries had been started with no chance because inexperience had been at the head of affairs.