N.Z. INDUSTRIES

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 258, 30 July 1942, Page 4

N.Z. INDUSTRIES

Line Of Action If Acute Manpower Shortage “It may be that some industries in New Zealand as the war proceeds might have to be closed down,” said the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan, in declaring tho ice cream manufacturers’ annual conference open, yesterday. “If the manpower position or supply position became too acute it might become necessary to select the most non-essential industries so that the jnanpower they were using might be diverted into the war effort. We are not contemplating that'at the moment, nor am I naming your industry in that category.” Those responsible for the carrying on of the •work of the country had a duty to take steps necessary for its defence and 'the concentration of its forces so that it would emerge successfully from the war. Had it not been for the increase in industries in New Zealand at an ave> age rate of 200 a year between 1935 and 1940, the supply position in New Zealand would have been very much worse than it was, he said, because many of the lines being made in those factories had gone out of production overseas through the factories changing to the manufacture of war supplies, or the linos could not 'be imported because of shipping difficulties.