SECONDARY INDUSTRIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 March 1939, Page 5

SECONDARY INDUSTRIES

EXPANSION IN NEW ZEALAND. VIEWS OF MR ,1. ROBERTSON. The need for the development of secondary industries in order to maintain a balanced economy was stressed by Mr J. Robertson. M.P., when addressing a meeting of constituents at Masterton last night. He said that it was the policy of the Labour Government to develop secondary industries, and in that they wanted the co-operation of the people. At one time there were many who regarded New Zealand as a large dairy or sheep farm. The changes, however, which were taking place throughout the world had caused a change of outlook and of policy. Countries which a few years ago wore our customers were now our rivals. England was developing her agriculture industries and no longer had an unlimited market for our primary products. We had to secure a balanced economy by increasing our manufacturers on one hand and by mainlining our primary products on the other. Since Labour took office there had been a marked increase in secondary industries. From 1935 to. 1938 the value of our factory production had increased front £90.000.000 to £113.000.000. Those figures were up to March of last year, and there had been enormous developments since. In 1935 there were 86.000 factory employees, as compared with 102 000 in 1938. while the wanes paid had increased from £14.000.000 to £20.000.000. There was no reason whv New Zealand could not produce factory goods the equal of anv in the world. The people could assist in tho development of secondary industries by insisting, wherever possible. on purchasing New Zealand made goods. ;