THE PRIME MINISTER’S MESSAGE

Shannon News, 8 November 1921, Page 3

THE PRIME MINISTER’S MESSAGE

ENCOURAGE LOCAL INDUSTRIES. KEEP THE MONEY IN THE COUNTRY. the opening of the N.Z. Industries Exhibition in Wellington last week, the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister, summed up the New Zealander’s duty in thb following words:— It should be the business of the people*'of New Zealand to encourage the secondary industries in every possible way, so that the raw material would be manufactured here for the whole benefit of this country. Take wool: He had heard a great deal about this subject during the last few months, and it was most extraordinary that every time there was a drop in the price it brought depression. He, however, did not think the depression was going to last long ,on this occasion. The whole of the wool was not sent out of the country, because they had woollen manufacturing companies here, and they seemed to be prosperous. He wished them all sorts of prosperity. He wanted to see more wool kept in this country, and exported in some form other than the raw material itself. As showing the value of New Zealand products, the Prime Minister stated that when he was on the other side of the world he must have had a hundred inquiries with regard to the possibility of purchasing New Zealand rugs. These rugs had a wor,ld-wide reputation, and they could be placed; in Canada, the United States and Great Britain. He was surprised when he went-up to the great manufacturing centre in the North of England to be given a Mosgiel rug to keep him warm during a motor-car journey. New Zealand blankets wher ever shown were in very strong demand, The cloth manufactured from New Zealand wool in this country was as good as ’ could be purchased anywhere else, and he would like-ihe people of New Zealand to ask for goods manufactured from New Zealand wool.

■ A deal of flax was produced here, exported, and sent back in rope and, hinder twine. Why should New Zealand not send most ,of • the flax away in a manufactured state? Huge quantities of tallow were also exported, and brought back in the shape of soap and candles. They had some factories here for the manufacture of tallow into soap and candles, and as far as he could ascertain they had been very successful. If they were going to encourage their secondary industries, as- they should be encouraged, then New Zealajnd must stand behind them. A matter they heard a great deal about was the manufacture of iron. They had plenty of iron ore and iron sand in this country. There were millions of tons. Some little time ago ten tons of orq and iron sand were sent Home and 'he went, to see it tested. Electricity was used, and tbe result was perfectly successful. The iron was good as far as* a layman could judge. He Bad not yet received the official report on the test. The question that, followed was whether New Zealand would be able to provide electricity sufficient to make a success of the manufacture of iron. He bebelieved it would, and it would be .< a very good thing when they could produce the iron for their own requirements, and probably the time would when it could be exported to other countries. The people of New Zealand should look forward to making the best of tbe raw material to supply not only the people here, but people abroad.

Kauri gum had been exported in large quantities, and the records would show that during the last 50 years half a million pounds had been sent away. Science had come to the aid of the industry, for it was now taken from the soil in a scientific way. It was turned into varnish, paint, and used in the manufacture of linoleum. There was a possibility of it. being manufactured into varnish, etc., here, and he hoped in years to come it would be a prosperous industry.

New Zealand should turn its raw material into manufactured goods and keep the money in the country. When it became necessary to go outside, and it would be necessary to go outside some times, they would give preference to fellow citizens within the Empire.'' They should do everything for their own people. The manufacture of linseed oil had just.

been started. As an agriculturist, he knew there was no difficulty in growing linseed, and he hoped the industry would be successful, and agriculturists would he encouraged to add linseed to their articles of produce. He pointed out that last year they had imnorted woollen goods valued at £1.703.049, cordage and twine £233,000. and leather (not including boots and shoes) £242,182. Practically every week they were exporting large quantities of hides even to Australia, and he had never been able to understand

.why they could not turn these hides into leather hoots and shoes for the use of the people bf this country* They should give New Zealand articles a chance, for they could get just 'as good ah article at a lower price.