DEVELOPING INDUSTRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 734, 6 August 1929, Page 10

DEVELOPING INDUSTRY

FORMATION OF BOARD URGED FOREIGN COMPETITION No definite action has been taken by the Government in connection with the representations made by manufacturers of New Zealand for the setting up of a Development of Industries Board. This was reported in a letter yesterday afternoon to the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association from the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation. The establishment of the board has been strongly urged by manufacturers, and several Ministers have actually stated that the representations were worthy, announcing at the same time their intention to bring the question before Cabinet. Two grants were made by the association at its meeting. Five guineas were voted to the committee conducting a shopping week in Whangarei from August 19 to 24, and a similar amount to the Workers’ Educational Association. The sum for Whangarei will be for the prize funds in window dressing competitions for New Zealand productions. Cheap French production of wooden heels for shoes has affected an Auckland firm, which is in the position to meet the needs for the whole of New Zealand. Answering a statement bj' the association, the Department of Industries and Commerce wrote stating that the question was being considered by the Government’s special footwear investigation committee. Before the firm, which uses New Zealand timber in its production, opened operations, there was a tariff against the importations, but it has been discontinued. At the suggestion of Mr. J. A. C. Allum, the association will point out to the Town Planning Committee that its representations to the Auckland Harbour Board concerning the lay-out of the old dock site will receive individual support from members, but the question is not within the scope of the organisation. The question of investing a portion of the association’s funds was left to the president and the secretary, and it is proposed to pay a smaller rental for the new offices in Queen Street, and so build in, at the association’s expense, showcases,, so that they will become the property of the organisation.