DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1929, Page 7

DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY

PR IMF, MINISTER QUOTES FIGURES. WELLINGTON, Feb. 27. What lie termed a series of fingerposts marking the development of industry in New Zealand was placed on record for public guidance by the Prime Minister the Rt. Hon Sir Joseph Ward) at the annual luncheon if the New Zealand Manufacturers Federation to-day. The Prime Minister prefaced his quotation of statistics with the observation that New Zealand’s success must largely depend upon the effort of its people. The Government, which occupied an extraordinary position for either good or •vil in connection with development, had as its ambition the helping >1 the icople to help themselves. Ihe part the manufacturers were taking in building up industries was recognised to the full by the Government and very person who thought for himself. Sir Joseph stated that the latest iigres available showed that iron) Match 31, 1923, to March 31, 1927, the num■er of establishments connected with industries in New Zealand had ineiensed by 17 per cent., indicating that the •aim regions into which the count)\ had emerged from the war had helped industry steadily to increase. He was sure it would continue to do so in the future. Over the same' period the number of employees increased hy 11 per rent, the wages paid by 24 per cent, the cost of material operated upon by 11 per cent, and the total value of pio duets by 12 !«')• cent. The most striking increase, however, had been in the value of plant, machinery, buildings inil laud, 42 per cent. “You are not engaged in industries (hat are retrogressive,” the Piinie Minister added. “You. are engaged in •progressive industries. They may not be progressing as fast as you or we might wish, but still they arc progressing.”