1884
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 48

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND MEMBERS OF
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,—

The passing of the Social Security Act last session brought into being the
machinery for the inauguration of the most comprehensive scheme of social
insurance so far attempted in any British country, providing on a contributory
basis for the contingencies of unemployment, old-age, widowhood, orphanhood,
sickness, and invalidity, as well as for the supplementation of the incomes of
breadwinners where this is necessary. The whole of the monetary benefits
provided for in the Act were made available from 1st April last. Maternity
Benefits have been made available since 15th May last, and following the
inauguration of Hospital Benefits on 1st July next arrangements will be
proceeded with for bringing into operation the Medical Benefits, under which
general medical practitioner services will be available, and Pharmaceutical
Benefits, under which will be available medicines, drugs, materials, and
appliances.

With the adoption of the procedure of import selection within the system
of import control, my Advisers have decided vigorously to encourage the
development of secondary industries with a view primarily to facilitating a
more balanced economy in the Dominion. The need for such a policy has
been accentuated during recent months by the threat of war overseas and the
possibility that, should such an eventuality unfortunately arise, New Zealand
may find difficulty in obtaining supplies of manufactured goods, the lack of
which would not only tend to disorganize our economic life but would
render the Dominion less able to undertake its share of the responsibilities
of the British Commonwealth. A wide range of opportunities has now been
provided for industrial expansion, and it is very gratifying to my Ministers
that the efforts of local manufacturers to supply the Dominion’s requirements
have proved so successful. Existing manufacturing units have enlarged their
productive capacity by the installation of additional plant and machinery
and by the employment of many more workers, and many have expanded
the range of their products. Overseas manufacturers have, in many cases,
made arrangements for their goods to be made locally; some have erected
their own factories, and others have arranged for existing manufacturing units
to make their products. Definite progress has been made with the
rationalization of a number of trades and industries during the past year
under the provisions of the Industrial Efficiency Act, 1936, and there are now
twenty-one industries subject to the licensing provisions of this Act.

During the year my Ministers have closely watched movements in prices,
and have paid particular attention to those items which figure largely in the
household expenditure of families. While the control measures adopted have
exercised an effective influence, experience has indicated the necessity for some
adjustments to the machinery available, and accordingly my Ministers have
established a Price Investigation Tribunal, with powers of judicial inquiry, to
make detailed investigations.

Employment in the Dominion continues at a high level. The upward
movement in the number of registered factories and in the number of factory
workers is still being maintained, the figures reaching a new record level, and
the development of manufacture has actually created a shortage of skilled
employees in certain industries. My Advisers are continuing their efforts to
arrange for employment of a useful nature for all fit unemployed persons, and
with this end in view all possible steps are being taken to encourage the
absorption of labour in secondary industries and in productive work on the
land. It is also the intention of my Ministers to give every encouragement
to the development and settlement of unused areas of land in order to stimulate
as far as possible the primary production of the Dominion, and to that end
attention is being given to methods of land clearance by modern machines.

My Ministers have again arranged for New Zealand to take part in the
International Labour Conference which opened at Geneva this month. On
this occasion my Government are represented by my Minister of Lands.