FOSTERING INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1921, Page 4

FOSTERING INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION.

The proposal, emanating from the Industrial Corporation of New to hold an industrial exhibition in Wellington during the next Parliamentary session, is a very worthy project, more particularly as it has a direct bearing on the tariff question, which it is proposed to review at that session. The aim is to show what industry is doing, and, by inference, what it can do under favorable condition*. The vast store of raw

materials available in the Dominion for manufactures of various kinds is sufficient warranty for bringing this matter forward, particularly as it materially affects the future economic conditions of New Zealand. A large proportion of the money now spent on imports could with great advantage be saved by home manufactures, and there is no question that one of the pressing needs of the Dominion is the fostering of industrial expansion. It is certainly time some practical action was taken in the direction of developing and improving manufacturing industries, especially in view of the provision of hydrq-electric power. It will, under the most favorable circumstances, probably be some time before an appreciable advance is made in establishing new industries, but that depends on the state of the money market, the enterprise of the public, and whether the cost of manufacture is reasonable. It should be distinctly understood that no industry shall be bolstered up. by a pro? tective tariff. Outside that proviso there should be a fair field and no favor. Tf local industries can prosper on these lines there is ample scope for their operations, otherwise the country will be better without them.