H.—44.

Footwear. The. footwear industry was licensed during the year, and a provisional industrial plan has been formulated in consultation with representatives of the industry. Some seventy units are engaged in the manufacture of footwear, and this important industry offers considerable scope for effective industrial planning. Paper-pulp and Paper Products. An investigation is proceeding in regard to the j)ossibilities of developing all aspects of the manufacture of paper, wallboard, paper-pulp, and allied products in the Dominion. This industry was licensed during the year. Radio-receiving Sets. The development of the radio manufacturing industry has been outstanding, and the local units are satisfactorily meeting the whole of the Dominion's requirements of radio-receiving sets. A very high percentage of component parts is also being manufactured in the local factories. Forty-four units are licensed in this industry. Bituminous Roofing-materials. This is a new industry for New Zealand, and it is anticipated that during the coming year a large proportion of our requirements of bituminous products will be available from local factories. Rubber Tires and Tubes. The local industry is supplying an increasing proportion of our requirements of cycle-tires, and production of tubes is developing. During the year the Bureau reached an advanced stage in considering the applications received for licenses to commence manufacturing motor tires and tubes in the Dominion. Finality in the matter has not been reached. Soap and Soap-powder. Forty-nine manufacturers of soap and allied products were issued with licenses during the period under review, and substantial steps were taken in the formulation of an industrial plan for the industry. Several meetings with, representatives of the industry have taken place in this latter regard and more are anticipated. Waxed Paper. The two units which were in the industry of the manufacture of waxed paper when it was licensed have taken steps to expand their respective outputs so as to enable them to meet the whole of the local demand. Already practically all the supplies of plain waxed paper can now be produced in the Dominion, and it is anticipated that within the next year the total demand for printed waxed paper will also be supplied by the local factories. Financial Assistance to Industries. Although the period covered by this report was one of rapid expansion of our industrial structure, the necessary capital was readily forthcoming from private sources. It is a significant indication of the confidence which industrialists and investors have in our industrial future that the number of applications for State financial assistance for industrial purposes fell from figures which have varied between twenty-five to thirty-five during recent years to only six during the past year. As ill the past, the Bureau has investigated the applications and reported thereon to the Government. General. In addition to the matters mentioned so far in this report, and besides the general administrative work involved in dealing with the 20-odd licensed industries not specifically reported on above, the Bureau has again considered many subjects of a general nature affecting industry as a whole, besides certain aspects of a number of industries not licensed. Altogether it would appear that the Industrial Efficiency Act has become firmly established as a means of aiding the orderly growth of those of our industries which have been brought under the administration of the Bureau of Industry. In many cases the problems involved are such as will require continued and patient endeavour over a period of years. However, the past year has revealed that action taken by the Bureau earlier in its existence is now being evidenced in positive and beneficial results in the industries concerned. Having regard to the current expansion of industry which is taking place in the Dominion and the wider influence which the Bureau of Industry is now enjoying, there would appear to be excellent prospects of the Bureau exerting an effective influence in the matter of our achieving the maximum efficiency in our industrial sphere with the minimum of economic waste. One of the most gratifying features of the last year or two, so far as the Bureau has been concerned, has been the extreme willingness which those engaged in many industries have shown in their desire to co-operate with the Bureau and its officers in the efforts being made to promote efficiency and harmony in industry.

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