PAUA SHELL INDUSTRY

Chronicle (Levin), 19 November 1946, Page 5

PAUA SHELL INDUSTRY

WEI.l.lXliTOX. Xov. IS. The pnrpnse of lieensing, nnder tlte Tndimtrial Ffiicieney Aet, the mannfaetnre of paua shell into .jewellery and ornaments, was to ejisure that the industry was reserved for disabled ser- \ ieenien, said the -Minister of Indus1 ries and Commerce, Hon. I). (1. Xnlliv.an, today. Tlte (lovernnient 's deeision was gazeited last week. Tlte Minister sttid the Disabled Servieemen 's Reestablishment Beague was training disabled men in this industry and already a very higli standard of work had been attained and good eonnections wero being bnilt ttp. Tlte men were turning out Jirst elass work and he undnrstood it was tlte intention of the Rehabilitation Board to establish a mnnber of these disabled servieemen in their own husinesses. The Minister indieated that the lieensing of the industry should give the Leagne every ehanee to lwiild np and retain a good rcpntation in this elass of work and to alford every opportunity to disabled servieemen to fake their plaee in the eeononiic lifc of the Dominion. The industry, as lioensed, does not apply to the use of paua shell as inlav in earved woodwork of Alaori (lesign so that the Maoris will be free to carry on their aneient handerafts as formerly without rest rietions. The export of paua shell is now prohibited.