The Evening Star SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1936. MARCH TO SOCIALISM.

Evening Star, Issue 22454, 26 September 1936, Page 14

The Evening Star SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1936. MARCH TO SOCIALISM.

Another measure of a far-reaching character was introduced into the House of Representatives yesterday by the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce. Its main purpose, according to the Minister, is to reorganise industry so that it may become more scientific, more unified, and more efficient. Apparently it is considered that the State is eminently qualified to perform this service. It is a laudable aim, but the advantages of State control and regulation in the matter are dubious in the extreme. No one would question the desirability of having the industries ■ of the Dominion brought to a condition of the highest efficiency in accord with the latest developments in mechanical and scientific processes. This will be necessary if our rural .and primary industries are to be successful, for they will be handicapped in the intense world competition by the fact that in comparison with other countries they will work shorter hours, pay more than most of them in wages, and submit to heavier taxation. At the same time Government regimentation under the Bill—for that will he the practical effect—is a doubtful expedient. The intention of Ministers in this matter was anticipated by the 'New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, which two years ago appointed a committee to consider plans for greater industrial co-ordination. It submitted a comprehensive report, in the time when the Coalition Minijtry held office. A cardinal point in the policy proposed was that, though Government co-opera-tion was desirable, there should be no suggestion of anything in the nature of political or departmental dictation or control.

The essence of the policy was that industries themselves should study their own problems and work out means of effecting improvements. It was a measure to facilitate co-ordination based on self-government, not bureaucratic control. In order to make the plan effective it was proposed that a small permanent manufacturing industries commission should he set up, with the Minister of Industries as chairman and three other ‘ members, of whom two would be nominated by the manufacturers. There was much to be said for this proposal, the feature of which should he voluntary co-operation between the Government and manufacturers. The policy was pub forward in order to avoid, so far as the manufacturing industries of the Dominion are concerned, the world trend towards control. It was recognised, however, that unless industries evolved some method of voluntary co-ordination there would be an ever-increasing demand for the State to impose restrictions and compulsions upon them. These things are about to .come to pass as the result of the Labour victory at the polls in November last. Under the Industrial Efficiency Bill a Bureau of Industry is to be established. It will consist of a number of ordinary members to be determined by the Minister of Industries and Commerce. They will be Government servants. In addition, there will be special members to represent the primary and secondary industries, but, be it noted, they also will be appointed by the Minister. The Bureau of Industry will function as an advisory body to the Minister, but an important duty with which it will be entrusted is to act as a licensing body under the legislation. How drastic and revolutionary in industrial practice this legislation is may be gathered from the fact that the Minister may require that any specified industry, branch of industry, or industrial process forming an integral part of the industry shall bo carried on under license. While the expressed desire of the Government to establish greater efficiency in business is commendable, the provisions of this Bill, creating such a large measure of Government control in industry, must be viewed with grave misgiving. It is a step in a march to a point where the people will be found living in bondage to the dictates of the Ministrv of the day.