COTTON MANUFACTURE

Chronicle (Levin), 9 August 1946, Page 8

COTTON MANUFACTURE

-Press Association

Mill For Sonth Island

will cost miluon pounds

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, August 8. AVitii a 'capital oi £1,UU0,00U, the Cottun Textilc Gorporation oi jN.Z. is expected to begin operatiug a cotion niiil in Nevv Zealand aoout August or Septeniber next year. W iien in fuii production the mill will manufacture about 4,00U,UU0 yards o'f bed sheeting and pdlow clotli, and 1,500,000 yards oi sliirting and grey calico. The whole of the capital of the conipany, which will be divided into prefei'enee and ordinary shares, will be oft'ered to investors in New Zealand. The site of the l'actory has not yet been decided but it will be in the Sonth Jsland and will eover 25 acres. Sltilled operators will be brought from England to train the New Zealand staff. It is expected employment will be available for about 800 to 1000 when production is in full swing. The constvuctioii of the mill will be started by February next. The | first sliipment of machinery will liave left England by that date. i Mr. Edward Williamson, who I will be the managing direetor of ! the new company, said tonight i that 'New Zealand at present im- ! ported eacli year about £900.000 ' worth of eotton yams, grey, i bleached, dyed and mercerised. 'The coiisumplion of sheeting in | New Zealand was about 6,000,000 : yards yeai'ly. The production of 1 the l'actory would be slightly less I Ihan tlie Dominion's requirements. | To arrange for the pureliase of Ihe plant and machinery and deI liverv to New Zealand which had I been promised L'or an early date,

j AT r. Williamson will leave for I kngland via Australia 011 August I 21. AYhile in England he will also j cngage technical and departmenjlal managers who will leave for j New Zealand immediatelv the first j sliipment is due.to be despatched from England. i II is expected tliat in tlie next 't\vo years 30 familics will be brought to the Dominion as the nucletis of the trained staff and to train New Zealand operators. "It is the intention of the company to erect Ihe eotton mill section as quickl.y as possible so that yarn can be produced to snpply

Ihe nrgent neods ot New Zealand," said Air. Willinmson. "The weaving section, which will he Ihe seeond part to* be built, will | follow closoly on tlie eotton mill. iThe bleacbing and dyeing plants | will be built in quick succession." ! The buildings will be of the latest design and air conditioncd ithroughout, Air. Williamson said. I Dressing rooms, foot baths, baths, first aid rooms, rest rooms. e.anteeu and roof garden will he provided | for the staff. There would also he , park • lands to provide playing fields.