LOCAL INDUSTRIES (DEVELOPMENT): GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE

Wednesday, 12th October, 1955

Mr Lim Cher Kheng asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether he is aware of the urgent need for promoting and fostering local industries; and whether he will make a detailed statement of all the steps taken, or to be taken, in granting guidance and assistance, including the grant of loans, for the welfare and development of small operators in (a) the fishing; (b) the farming; and (c) the light (cottage) industries.

Mr D. S. Marshall: I am fully aware of the need for promoting and fostering local industries. Reference is invited to my reply to a question on this subject on Wednesday, 29th June, 1955 (Legislative Assembly Debates, Official Report Vol. I No. 6, Col. 331).

Preliminary discussions have taken place with Ministers in the Federation on proposals for promoting industrial development. It is intended to seek further discussions at an early date with a view to the creation of an Industrial Development Board which I am anxious to establish.

The present trade discussions with Indonesia are also of considerable importance to our local industries. It is hoped that as a result of these talks local industries will once more be able to export to the Indonesian market.

Government Departments and public bodies have been instructed to give preference in all cases to local manufactures.

The following steps have been or will shortly be taken for providing guidance and assistance including the grant of loans for the welfare and development of small operators in -

(a) the Fishing Industry: -

The Fisheries Loans Board provides financial assistance to offshore fishermen and the Fisheries Division purchases equipment for sale cheaply to fishing boats.

The Division also assists fishermen in obtaining land for their houses and generally looks after their welfare and that of their families.

Inspectors of the Fisheries Division visit fishing villages to license boats so that fishermen can obtain licences locally. There is a Central Control point at Telok Ayer which provides a 24-hour service to assist the arrival and departure of fishing boats, facilities for water supply, the discharge of fish and the loading of stores.

A mobile unit tours fishing villages giving instruction in the care and maintenance of outboard engines and sells stocks of spare parts at cost.

The M.V. "Dunvegan" has acted as a mother ship for drift netters and continues to search for new fishing grounds.

Long term research is also undertaken by the Regional Fisheries Research Station. A specially equipped vessel, the "Manihine", arrived in Singapore on 12th August, 1955, to assist in this research.

(b) the Farming Industry: -

Details of Government's plans for the provision of veterinary and animal husbandry services were given in a written answer to Mr. M. P. D. Nair on Tuesday, 26th July, 1955 (Refer Legislative Assembly Debates, Official Report Vol. I No. 9, Cols. 31/32). Urgent consideration is being given to a major proposal for financial assistance to farmers through co-operative societies and approved farmers organisations.

(c) the Light (cottage) Industries: -

It is the intention of Government to foster all types of industry provided they are economic. Proposals are under consideration to expand the activities of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on the industrial side. The new services will be of particular assistance to our smaller industry which will also be able to take advantage of the wider services which will be available when the major Industrial Development programme is finalised.