ECONOMIC PLANNING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 457, 19 May 1932, Page 4

ECONOMIC PLANNING.

Science Shows Way to Prosperity. Economic planning to lift this, country from her position and the effects of such planning throughout the world, were subjects discussed' by ' Mr G. Lawn last night in a lecture td the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand -Town Planning Institute. In the present day world, he continued, there was a paradoxical state of affairs. There was plenty for all, yet men "were starving and could not even get food for willing work. Two forces, capitalism and Communism, were challenging the world. Capitalism held that private ownership of land and industry gave plenty of scope for individual initiative and enterprise, and that the present maladjustment could be eliminated without resorting to communal ownership under the administration of State officials. The Russian experiment would show the value of the other force—Communism. problems to be Met. Where New Zealand was concerned, among the subjects calling for consideration would be land utilisation, extension and rationalisation of industry, marketing, currency and credit,, and the nature and flexibility of the controlling bodies themselves. Where land was concerned, what was wanted was a greater appreciation of resources and a wider and more intelligent application of the scientific principle tested and proved by the biggest and most successful farmers. The greater mechanisation of farming should be considered. With the diversification and expansion of manufacturing industries, one of the great things to bear in mind was the need of the country itself. New Zealand’s restricted markets for produce made the country most susceptible to overseas influence. If such a narrow range of exports was persisted with, present day and future conditions would probably make the country even more susceptible. The necessary degree of economic self-sufficiency should be determined and attained. Which manufacturing industries were essential and how they could cope with the problem of providing employment was a vital question which would have to be gone into. Many of the causes of economic waste were preventable. An investigation would prove waste in almost every industry. The unnecessary multiplicity of small industries and businesses was another source of waste. Large scale marketing and business generally, with plant and staff running at full capacity, was the great way to eliminate waste and reach the greatest efficiency. Personal Incentive. However, the personal element was a strong one, and incentive had to be there for all classes of the community. In New Zealand there was great scope for committees in which management and men could meet and discuss questions of common interest; not in the manner of dispute, but as in a co-oper-ative manner. That gave great possibilities for elimination of industrial troubles and misunderstandings such as the one Christchurch had recently experienced. The long range planning of public works could be made a great factor in that business stabilisation at which endeavours should be aimed.