MINISTER’S REPLY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 246, 29 July 1937, Page 5

MINISTER’S REPLY.

COMPLAINT BY MANUFACTURERS “ MUCH EXAGGERATION.” (Per Press Association.)/ WELLINGTON, This Day. The whole atmosphere of Mr O’Shea’s story was one of much exaggeration, said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) in reply to the statement issued by the Manufacturers’ Federation. “By that I mean there is some truth in it, but much absurdity. Various manufacturing firms have written to me voluntarily stating that," '-'despite the restoration of wages, the 40-h6ur week and increased importation I ,' they have more than held their own I 'hi"-the market and are not alarmed, and -have profited by the increased purchasing power provided by the .... Government legislation.- We should' riot‘‘be asked to protect inefficiency.” s “ Referring to the examinations of industries by special officers,; the. Minister, said that surprisingly little information bad been placed before,him or his officers in support of the manufacturers’ case for increased protection until this week. Indeed, he said, the Government had been far more active in endeavouring to get useful information on the subject than" the manufacturers had been in trying to help, the Government. ' ' “ jHij . The Minister deplored the‘action, of Mr O’Shea in selecting the morning of the arrival of Mr Savage to publish fin. outburst of alarm. He said that'the melodramatic language in whicli' the statement was couched was” umiecessary, and it looked as if the Manufacturers’ Federation had emerged, .into party politics.