INDUSTRIES AND THE PORTFOLIO

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1015, 4 July 1930, Page 10

INDUSTRIES AND THE PORTFOLIO

AN extension of the present vigorous advocacy of New Zealand manufactured products is planned by the Manufacturers’ Federation. At its conference in Wellington yesterday the representative body carried a recommendation to its executive that a Dominion-wide effort should be instituted. This, we are able to say, is the outcome of The Sun’s pioneer campaign, launched as a foundation policy, and now being conducted with the co-operation of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association. As was pointed out at the conference, its provincial success is highly encouraging, and the results are proving an incentive to manufacturers throughout the country. While the common-sense principle embodied in the slogan, “Buy New Zealand-Made Goods and End Unemployment,” is now being widely recognised and adopted, there is still prejudice, habit, and sheer apathy to be overcome, and the move by the federation is a wise and logical one. Despite the pressing need for full administrative support for industries that provide the bread and butter of an army of New Zealanders and are the potential means of employment for workless men and women, political indifference and stupidity is still apparent and reflected in the attitude of Government departments. A remit moved by the ex-president of the federation, Mr. F. Campbell, and supported by this year’s president, Mr. G. Finn, of Auckland, draws attention to this and asks that it be made compulsory for departments to make a proper comparison of prices and customs duties when weighing New Zealand products against imported goods; also that the preference system be enforced. Notwithstanding appeals made and promises returned the experience of the past year has shown this remit to he necessary—a fact that says little for the sincerity of legislators pledged to face and solve the country’s economic problems. The Government lack of energy and initiative in co-operating with manufacturers lias been plainly evinced by its purposeless shuffling with the portfolio f>£ Industries and Commerce, its consequent failure to provide an experienced continuity of service and control, and its shelving of the industrial investigations that were to be made. As Mr. Campbell said at the conference yesterday: “It seems as if the portfolio is one which nobody wants, and that it is the Cinderella of the Cabinet.” In little more than six months New Zealand lias supported aud had experience of three Ministers in this position. No sooner had the Hon. J. G. Cobbe gauged the position aud begun to he of definite assistance to manufacturers than he was instructed to apply his industrial knowledge to the problems of military training and Samoa—and so this futile portfolio shuffling lias gone on. It is to be hoped that the attitude of the Prime Minister toward the economic questions that are hound to be'raised at the Imperial Conference may clarify the position, for there is need for an eradication of political half-heartedness in industrial affairs.