DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24906, 20 June 1946, Page 4

DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY

CONFIDENCE in claims OF CHRISTCHURCH VALUE OF MR LANGFORD’S NEW TASK “We are on the threshold of great industrial development in New Zealand and Australia, especially in the South Island of New Zealand, said Cr J L. Hay, chairman of the Christchurch Expansion and Development Committee, when speaking at an informal gathering arranged yesterday afternoon to introduce Mr T. H. Langford newly-appointed public relations officer of the Christchurch City Council. to the chairmen of the councils committees and the heads of council departments. Cr. Hay said that Christchurch, with its facilities, attractions, and resources of all kinds, would have an important share in that development provided its advantages were brought to the notice of the persons concerned. Cr. Hay said he had been amazed at the keen public interest in the new appointment, an interest that had been manifested in a constructive way with suggestions and offers of help. The success of Mr Langford’s job would be dependent to a large extent on his relations with the executive officers of the council, and he knew Mr Langford would have the goodwill of every councillor, council executive, and member of the public. Great Possibilities Seen The Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) said there were no bounds to the possibilities of Mr Langford’s task and that Mr Langford had the vision to make the most of those possibilities. He knew well Mr Langford’s capability, but had nevertheless been most impressed with the way he had taken hold of his first ta&k, which was concerned with industrial development. He wished to make it clear that there never was any intention that Mr Langford’s sphere should be confined within the city boundaries. Industrial development would have to extend far beyond the city limits, in which there were now few available industrial sites. “Things have changed,” said Mr Andrews. “So many firms now want 10, 20, or even 30 acres so that they can provide gardens and amenities for their employees—sports grounds, bowling greens, tennis courts, and swimming pools.” Cr. M. E. Lyons, chairman of the bylaws and finance committee, assured Mr Langford that the money necessary for him to do his job would be provided. He warned against expecting spectacular results in a short time. It was a long-term job; “The complexity of the information people establishing factories want to-day is almost alarming,” he added. Crs. W. P. Glue (chairman of the works committee) and J. N. Clarke (chairman of the reserves committee, and Messrs C. S. Bowie (acting-Town Clerk) and E. Hitchcock (general manager of the Municipal Electricity Department) also expressed the good wishes of councillors and staff.

IMb* Langford’s Reply “For a council composed of men whose political opinions are not mine to be so broadminded as to be able to forget that part of my life and accept me for the service I as an individual could render, was certainly unexpected,” said Mr Langford, who admitted that his appointment to the position came as a surprise to him. Since he took up his duties, his opinion of the great possibilities of Christchurch had been strengthened. It would not be for any want of effort on his part if Christchurch did not become the great city he was sure it would become. He had been amazed at the number of people desirous of extending existing factories and establishing new ones, and there would be a headache for the town-planning authorities in providing for this expansion. Mr Langford added that during the war he had had a good deal to do with councillors and council executives. and it was pleasing to see the friendly atmosphere in which they worked. He himself believed completely in co-operation.