H,— 44.

The general purpose of the Act is described in the long title as "to promote the economic welfare of New Zealand by providing for the promotion of new industries in the most economic form and by so regulating the general organization, development, and operation of industries that a greater measure of industrial efficiency will be secured." Industry, in so far as this Act is concerned, includes any trade, occupation, business, manufacture, works, or service of any kind whatsoever. The Act specially aims at the securing of co-operation between industry and the State, and for that purpose provision is made for the appointment, as members of the Bureau, of two representatives of both manufacturing and farming industries. The Bureau functions in conjunction with the Department of Industries and Commerce, which provides the necessary staff and organization. Functions of the Bureau or Industry. The functions of the Bureau of Industry, as enumerated in the Act, are both advisory and executive. Advisory functions of the Bureau include th& making of recommendations in relation to the establishment and development of new industries ; the consideration of Government assistance to industries ; the raising of the quality of products ; the adoption of uniform methods of accounting and costing ; the preparation of statistics, standardization of materials, processes or products ; the training and supply of workers ; the marketing and distribution of products ; and the purchasing of raw materials. In addition to acting in an advisory capacity to the Minister of Industries and Commerce the Bureau is to be an industrial licensing authority as provided by the Act. The Minister of Industries and Commerce may at any time require that any industry shall only be carried on pursuant to a license issued by the Bureau, and. the Minister is the appeal authority against any decisions of the Bureau in respect to licensing. The Bureau is also directed to maintain a continuous survey of industries and industrial methods ; to arrange for the collection, publication, and distribution of statistics relating to output, costs, prices, markets, working-conditions, and other related matters ; to collaborate with any research organizations ; to arrange for the publication and distribution of appropriate information among persons or organizations concerned ; and to facilitate collaboration between Departments of State with respect to matters affecting industry. Members op Bureau of Industry. The following members (ten " ordinary," being State members, and four " special," representing farming and manufacturing industries) of the Bureau of Industry were appointed in January, 1937, by the Hon. the Minister of Industries and Commerce : — Ordinary Members. —Mr. L. J. Schmitt (Chairman), Mr. F. Johnson (Deputy-Chairman), Mr. E. D. Good, Mr. A. Tyndall, Mr. J. S. Hunter, Dr. E. Marsden, Mr. E. J. Fawcett, Mr. L. J. McDonald, Mr. G. C. Rodda, Mr. G. A. Pascoe. Special Manufacturers' Representatives. —Mr. C. M. Bowden, Mr. I. Matheson. Special Farmers' Representatives. —Mr. T. C. Brash, Mr. H. Morrison. During the absence of Mr. G. C. Rodda in England, Mr. E. L. Greensmith has been acting as a member of the Bureau. Meetings held. The first meeting was held on the Bth January, 1937, and up to the present twenty-nine meetings have been held. In addition, however, a large number of meetings of sub-committees have been held to consider in detail the wide range of subjects which have come under the consideration of the Bureau. Summary op Work Undertaken. The following is a summary of the principal work being carried out in regard to the major sections of the Bureau's activities : — Licensing.—One of the most important functions of the Bureau in its work of organizing industry along efficient lines is that of acting as a licensing authority under the Act. Fifteen industries have already been gazetted, and these are as under : — The manufacture of dry-cell batteries. The manufacture of asbestos-cement products. The manufacture of rubber tires and tubes. The manufacture of electric ranges. The manufacture of pumps for the distribution of motor-spirit. The manufacture of cement. The manufacture of rennet. The manufacture of phosphatic fertilizers. The manufacture of wooden heels for footwear. The importation and/or wholesale distribution of motor-spirit. The retail sale and distribution of motor-spirit. The business of any chemist or druggist carried on by the keeping of any open shop or place for the compounding or dispensing of prescriptions. The taking (by use of boats) of fish for purposes of sale. The export of fish. The taking of oysters from oyster-beds. These industries were so gazetted in order that, through licensing in terms of the Act, greater efficiency could be secured to the benefit of the consuming public and to those engaged in the industry concerned. In this connection the Bureau has finalized the method of procedure to be adopted_ in considering applications for licenses, and many decisions have now been given in regard to the granting of licenses or otherwise.

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