QUESTION OF NEW INDUSTRIES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2836, 29 July 1916, Page 11

QUESTION OF NEW INDUSTRIES

SHOULD THE STATE SUBSIDISE? At the Dominion Conference of the New Zealand pinners' Union. oil Thursday, Mr. G. AY. Leadley-'(Ashburton) moved: "That, with a Iview to the employment of our own people, the utilisation of our own natural resources anil the Tendering of this Dominion moro independent of the foreign manufacturer, the Government be requested to institute inquiries, by the setting up of . a competent committee of investigation, or otherwise, as to what further industries or manufactures can be advantageously introduced into New' Zealand; and in cases Whero industries have been but partially successful, to inquire what means should bo adopted to ensure greater success; arid, further, to ascertain whether, by moans of a system of bounties, extending over reasonable periods, such new or partially-developed industries can be brought to a profitable and permanent establishment."

Mr. A. A. Ross (Auckland) seconded the motion. Mr. D. .Tones (North Canterbury) said that the question of frep trado and protection was being wholly recast on Britain. When the war was, through so.me system'of preferential trade would como ill. Mr.'A. A. Ross (Auckland) said there were fatal objections to the motion. First the Government would do nothing just now; second, there was not enough labour for tho present industries; third, tho existing Labour restrictions would have to be removed before new industries could be successfully worked. Mr. T; Moss (Eketahuna) thought it wis3 to develop our natural resources, tiivl lot other thims come after. Replying, Mr. Leadley said that it would be a good tiling to have more industries a® to offer employment to our returning soldiers. Then, ertry year there wero 20,000 children from the growing army commencing the, battle nf life. Tie instanced how fhe fruit industry had benefited by (lie bonus svsteni. -and said there was untold wealth in iron ore, which could be developed by p. concentration of capital. Ue did not think that everyone should be expected to go the land: the farmer was only on» co? in the great wheel. The motion-was. defeated bv 1C votes to 10. ... •