Conference to Help New Zealand Goods

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 598, 26 February 1929, Page 12

Conference to Help New Zealand Goods

ORGANISING INDUSTRY MANUFACTURERS’ PART

The conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, which is to open at Wellington tomorrow, will discuss questions of vital import to New Zealand in-

dustries —primary as well as man uf-cturing. Auckland will be represented at the conference by Messrs. G. Finn, president, W. D. Munn, A. W. Parker and J. Findlay, secretary. Among the remits to be considered is one urging an early resumption of immigration, for it is the belief of the members that, with proper organisation, many thousands of men could be quickly absorbed into industry in New Zealand. An effective Dominion organisation of manufacturers is to be mooted, and the conference will consider a proposal to ask the Prime Minister, fcsir Joseph Ward, for an assurance that he favours the use of New Zealand goods in Government departments. Organised visits to industries, all over the country by members of Parliament and Farmers’ Union members are to be suggested, and the Railway Department probably will be asked for concession fares to facilitate this.

Extensive representation to Government departments for their co-opera-tion in pursuing the aims of manufacturers are urged in remits from various sources, and a suggestion is also advanced that tariff increases to protect and encourage manufacturing industries is the most effective means of absorbing unemployed—more sound than the expenditure of public funds in unproductive works. NEW ZEALAND SHOPS

Co-ordination in New Zealand shop weeks is considered desirable, and tlie Prime Minister will be reminded of his pre-election advocacy of subsidies to industries. Auckland recommends:

“That with a view to securing better results from the various advertising schemes and enabling the public to obtain New Zealand-made goods, the associations be recommended to consider the possibility of establishing retail shops in the larger centres either by: (a) Encouraging the formation of retail companies; or (b) assisting, by subsidy or otherwise, shops alreadyestablished by individuals or firms who are prepared to change their present method and stock only' New Zealand-made goods.” It is suggested from Wellington: “That this Federation of Manufacturers strongly comends the action of the Government in setting up combined expert, official and trade committees to inquire into the economic state of the timber and footwear industries under the auspices of the Department of Industries and Commerce. This federation further commends the practical and useful work already done in connection with these two industries and suggests to the Government that these inquiries be extended to other industries recommended from time to time by the federation.”