N.Z. INDUSTRIES

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1933, Page 6

N.Z. INDUSTRIES

MANUFACTURES’ DISCUSSION

INTERVIEW WITH M.Ps.

WELLINGTON, November 15,

A large deputation from the conference! of the A Now (Zeeland, Manufactturers’ Federation waited on the Labour and Coalition, Parties to-day to place manufacturers’ views before members on the, development or manufacturing industries as a means of alleviating the unemployment .problem. As pointed put by the president (Mr F; Campbell)', the consultations, which were taken separately, were of a friendly nature, quite divorced from the question of politics. The nature of the discussion; on. the subject of unemployment by the conference yesterday was elaborated. The attitude of the Labour Party was conveyed by Mr Savage, who said the party realised that the question was not one of finding , a task for a man in return for a hare existence, but of getting people generally back into industry. The trend of the world was towards national reconstruction, which some people called economic national■ism, but national reconstruction did not in, any way conflict with the ideals of: international trade and relationships, it, simply prepared the way for international trade ideals. •Mr Savage , mentioned also that whether New Zealand liked it or not Great' Britain in the future would be compelled, in the interests of her own farmers, and, foreign investments, to restrict , to some extent Dominion imports. Labour’s alternative was to build-up. a : market in New Zealand, and for what purpose a definite programme was required. Shortly, Parliament would be faced with the report of the Tariff Commission and with legislation based on those recommendations. ]'n those circumstances, something in the nature of definiteness was imperative. A statement by some of the members of the; Tariff Commission that the commission was not concerned with wages was taken up by Mr Savage, who said-that he wanted to know upon what Parliament would legislate if the report were not based upon the wages and' conditions of industry. At. the second meeting, with the Coalition Party, speakers from the deputation reiterated fjheir views. The only Minister present was the Hon J. A. Young. Several members of the Coalition expressed, their views jn points raised and the representations made were sympathetically received.