LOCAL INDUSTRIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 43, 21 February 1939, Page 8

LOCAL INDUSTRIES

PLAN FOR STABILISATION .Ji MINISTER’S SURVEY OF PROGRESS INQUIRY INTO RAW MATERIALS [ Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 20. A statement that following the import restrictions the work of stimulating local industries to fill the gap was proceeding satisfactorily was made by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon. D. G. Sullivan. The Minister said every effort was being made to ensure that the necessary raw materials were made available. The manufacturing committee had already met representatives of 80 firms and industries to ascertain their resources to meet the larger market. Questions of fiance, supply of labour, marketing, and maintenance of standards without price increases had been discussed. Special attention at the moment was being given to the question of training labour for skilled occupations. The New Zealand Standards Institute was also busy on the task of either preparing New Zealand standards or adjusting overseas standards to ensure that quality was maintained. The subject of output per unit of labour was receiving attention. The national organisations of labour had expressed their willingness to co-operate with the Government with a view to securing the best output. This was one of the most important aspects of the whole problem of readjusting New Zealand industry to meet the new i esponsibilities that have bec.i imposed upon it. If the co-operation of workers in stimulating output to meet the needs of the country was withheld the effort now being made to produce the goods required would not succeed. Fact Realised. The Minister said he was pleased to say that this fact was realised by the leaders of labour. He appealed for full co-oj)eration of all to do the very best in the production of goods and services and thus enable the Government and people to build a stronger economy in New Zealand. A survey by officers of the Department of Industrial and Scientific Research to ascertain to what extent it is possible to substitute local for imported raw materials would be begun in Auckland this week The Minister said the import restrictions had raised many interesting problems regarding raw materials for further development and expansion of local manufacturing industries. Scientific research would have to play an important part in the solution of these problems. The raw materials required might be rough l ;.- classified in three classes. Raw material produced in New Zealand and of the desired standard of quality. Raw materials produced in ‘New Zealand but which at present were not up to the desired standard for certain higher grade production. Raw materials which must still be imported. Mr. Sullivan said he would be glad if any cases of difficulty regarding raw materials could be brought to the notide of the department to enable such advice and information as was available to be given and to provide for investigation or research necessary for the successful foundation, of manufacturing industries utilising these raw materials in the immediate future.