NEW ZEALAND GOODS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 April 1939, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND GOODS

MINISTER ADDRESSES MANUFACTURERS CHANCE LONG SOUGHT NOW OFFERED. ' EXPANSION OF NATIONAL PRODUCTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The statement that manufacturers were now faced with the problem they had wanted to be faced with years ago and that, their request for a chance to develop the country's own industries had been granted, was made by the Minister of Labour. Mr Webb, when officially opening Manufacturers’ Chambers, the new home of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association, yesterday. Mr Webb acted for the Minister of Industries and. Commerce, Mr Sullivan, who was indisposed. ’"We are the first Government that has said to the manufacturers, ‘Go and build your own house,'" Mr Webb said, “and we will be the first Government to stand by you 100 per eenl in doing that.”

The Minister said he believed they were living in a world which needed organisation now more than at any other period. It would not be long before they were tasting and wearing more New Zealand goods. And after all was that a crime?

“For years and years you have asked for a chance to develop your own industries,” Mr Webb continued. “We are now saying to you ‘Produce- the boots and clothing we want.’ You cannot get greater protection than that. It is up to you to rise to the occasion. "The cow yard and the sheep run have their place, which is ah important one. and We will help the primary industries 100 per cent. But we have a responsibility, too. to the people that have to live in this country, and that is where we come to industry. We feel that the things we can produce here at a reasonably economic price ought to be produced here.” The Minister said lie was not going to apologise for anything the Government had done. The '’act that the overseas funds were going down was an indication that the people of this country were enjoying a higher standard. of living. He believed that they would establish a real paradise for everybody living in the country. He could visualise the time when the population would be double what it was now, and with an increasing population and intelligent land development schemes he could see a community that would be able to snap its fingers at any part of the world as far as defence was concerned. He believed that a community so inspired would be envied, by the fest of the world. If the manufacturers wished to cooperate with the Goverhiheh 1, the Government would co-operate with them 100 per cent in the job. If they want* ed to throw bricks at the Government, the Government would not throw bricks back, but would go on its own way and build New Zealand with or without the consent of the manufac* hirers. They would know that that was not a threat.

"We believe that by the building of New Zealand on firm, sound industrial lines wo are laying the foundations of a greater British Commonwealth oi Nations than we have at present,” Mr Webb continued. “I am asking you tc co-operate with us, but don’t throw bricks at us until you come along and have a talk with us first. I think we are entitled to demand your co-opera-tion because we are giving you the op* portunity you have been asking for for years.”