OF GREAT VALUE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20485, 11 December 1934, Page 12

OF GREAT VALUE.

Secondary Industries Aid Australia. POLICY OF PROTECTION Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL. December 10. Comment on the financial position of Australia was made by Mr James Hogg, of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Association, in a brief interview to-day. Mr Ilogg returned by the Maheno after a visit to New South Wales and Victoria, where he studied manufacturing activities as w-ell as attending festivities at Melbourne and Sydney. “ Both Sydney and Melbourne appear to be busy and prosperous,*' said Mr Hogg, “ but the financial returns for the Commonwealth for the four months ended October 31 rather belie this. An adverse balance of £3,250,000 is shown, compared with a surplus for the corresponding period of last year of £7,603,000. Exports show a fallingoff of almost £4,000,000. The value of wool exported decreased by £1,200,000 and other items affected were dried fruits, ores, lamb and mutton. “ Butter, on the other hand, remained stationary at £957.000.” Mr Hogg said that the Federal Prime Minister had recently expressed the opinion that the manufacturing industries of the Commonwealth had been of great value to Australia during the period of low prices for primary produce. Through industrial activity, the position had been eased considerably. The Federal Government realised the importance of secondary industries to the well-being of the Commonwealth, which was not surprising, since these industries provided employment for 370,000 factory operatives. The Government was definitely protecting all industries.