FUTURE OF NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21411, 1 March 1935, Page 14

FUTURE OF NEW ZEALAND

♦ CHANGES IN INDUSTRY PROSPECTS OF DOMINION BRIGHT PLEA FOR MODERN INDUSTRIAL PENSR vSFECIAL TO THE PRESS. 1 TIMAKU, February 28.

"Wo live in an ago of the greatest rate of change which the world, as a whole, has ever known," said Dr. E. Marsden, permanent head of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, in an address to the Rotary Conference to-day. "Changes in international trade and local industry have been so rapid during the last few years due to frantic nationalistic efforts as reflected in legislative action by all countries, that we may well pause to ponder as to where we are all heading. "Each of us thinks of the vast problems from the background of our environment and experiences and beliefs, but the march of events is changing the scene so that our practical experiences of previous more static and stable conditions are becoming inadequate and we must perforce endeavour to view the problems with a wider outlook and from the fundamental standpoint of human values and human nature which change infinitely less rapidly than do our material surroundings. Moreover, witness the discussion of the relation of social problems to industry and trade which, during the last few years has become an increasing feature of our trade and technical journals where formerly such subjects would be taboo. "In our bewilderment at all these changes and the examples around us of the changed views of many of our leaders towards social relations, one cannot but realise the farsightedness of the early leaders of Rotary in insisting that the way towards happier conditions and relationships lay in a broadening vision by contact with Ihose in other occupations and the ideal or motto 'service before self,' for, if more of us lived up to that motto, much of the lack of confidence in the present conditions would disappear. International Action "Since the direction of these changes is more and more influenced by the understanding of the relations of one country to another, the sixth object of Rotary brings them well within its scope. In the brief 30 years since the foundation of Rotary we have had profound social changes in one Rotary country after another, and moreover the advent of quick communications, both by radio and air. have made international relations of prime importance, as also have international cartels and agreements regarding many of the products of industry. In fact, most thinkers ccrnsider that true emergence of all countries from the economic depression can only come by international action and the creation j of international goodwill."

Dr. Marsden emphasised the speed at which changes took place in a nation's progress, by mentioning the trebling of the population of Britain in 100 years and also the amazing post-war industrial development in Japan, whose exports of textile cotton yardage exceeded those of Lancashire and whose production of rayons, steel, nitrates and aluminium were .phenomenal. While discussing with the representative of an aluminium combine on his way through New Zealand recently the future of this metal and its alloys in industry. Dr. Marsden said he was informed of Russia's production plans in that industry established there by western engineers, and of Japan's recent large-scale production and the significant fact that she had

built up large manufacturing concerns without technical assistance from outside other than those of her own technical experts' visits to foreign works. The speaker quoted the words of Lord Bainby, who investigated the wool industry in Japan, and who also visilcri (he works in Manchukuo: — "But after the sweetness of mills in Japan owing to the unfailing cleanliness of Japanese work, one again smelt the pungent and familiar body odour from unwashed workers in European mills. . . . The wages are s£d a day of nine hours, and even Japanese cannot compete. One is compelled to reflect what is possible in China when education is developed and order and discipline are installed there. It makes one wonder whether Japan docs not consider herself justified in seceding from alliances such as the League of Nations which seem biased towards the stabilisation of the status quo." Remarkable Changes "The changes in New Zealand industries since the war have in themselves been remarkable," proceeded Dr. Marsden. "During the last 10 years only our production of butter has increased 2.6 times and since the war six times: cheese has in 10 years increased one and a half times and meat 1.56 times. Considering the nature of these industries it is a wonderful achievement. On the other hand wool has remained almost stationary, while flax and kauri gum have decreased to almost negligible proportions, although there was the same opportunity for expansion. The great dairy industry, for example, has become increasingly dependent on export. Whereas in 1919-20 New Zealand consumed locally 48.5 per cent, of our butter, in 1933-o4 the Dominion consumed 16.44 per cent., while of cheese we only consumed 2.6 per cent. "Again, during the last few years we have become increasingly dependent on Great Britain to absorb our exports. In 1933 all but 1 per cent, of our export butter went there, and all but 0.1 per cent, of our export cheese, while the total value of our exports to Great Britain has remained almost stationary. Since 1929 our exports and imports from Germany, France, and United States of America have fallen to one-third, while to Canada they have fallen to one-sixth. "It is with such a background that we must consider the threatened difficult marketing situation in Great Britain, from whom we have probably, in Hie past, received far more sympathetic consideration than from our sister Dominions. 1 think the difficulties of the British farmer himself have been exaggerated. Prices have fallen, it is true, but for his own livestock produce in his own country, meat, dairy produce, etr., prices have not fallen relatively lower than Ihe general commodity price index. Nevertheless, the British people of all parties desire to encourage and protect British agriculture for many reasons." New Zealand's Assets Dr. Marsden said that New Zealand's assets were her people, who were selfselected, possessing initiative, ability, energy, and moral character, and her climate, which was equable, and soil, which was admirably suited to scientific agriculture. He added: "We need only in my opinion a structure of industry which will use these natural attributes of initiative and to i"--eri-

„, P nt which will realise, thai m*" s ff elliciency cannot b* s««»££ social efficiency. Without tftß ]ay 1 hat-there shall be ?f for the individual, or ganwaw „ team work is apt.to something mechanical in £™ L W jantive ability and original though °-I am not afraid in feet l& . optimistic of the future of land people as a whole It a case of how soon we learn u£ must bring to bear in its hunw nrrihlenis const* »\ . must bring to oedi ■■■ "- n „nstruc« >c industrial problems c ° n :£ rn in; leadership and above all s dustrial sense and an educat on dustrial sense and an eauw.-. fi „o will enable our young people > {(jt full enjoyment in and full -cw ,"hcir capabilities.'