CADBURYS AND FRYS, LTD

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1929, Page 8

CADBURYS AND FRYS, LTD

PROPOSED FACTORY IN NEW ZEALAND.

Mr George Sara, New Zealand manager of Cadburys and Frys (N.Z.), Ltd., interviewed in Wellington, confirmed the report Chat the company has decided to open a factory in New Zealand. He states that he has received offers of factory sites throughout the Dominion, not all influenced hy mercenary motives. The public bodies of New Zealand had realised immediately tho advantage a great factory is to a town or district. Many' districts were bidding for Cadbury favour in both the -North and South Islands, some of these even going so far as to offer free sites up to the extent of 55 acres. Mr Sara will not, however, commit himself'to a statement as to the locality that will lie selected. “I cannot say,” he replied to a question on the subject, 11 where the factory will he located until 1 have searched New Zealand for a suitable site—in fact, there are many important factors that will govern our choice that it would he well lor the public to realise. Supplies of raw material must come to us easily; the necessities of manufacture must he at hand; the finished product must be made m a locality that has ease of delivery to our retailers. Transport facilities will aiso influence us largely. There is reception of the groat ships which will bring our raw materials. This means reasonably''easy access to 'u ■ established port, with -sufficient waterway for large ships, is imperative. ;ood railway facilities will he also very necessary.” “ Are there any other (factors ?” he was asked. “ Yes. the important factors of a first class water supply and cheap electric or other power.” “ Will the factory he anything like a miniature Bournville? ” ' “ In time, possibly. Beauty of position will have some influence on our -linice, and opportunities for welfare work will not he disregarded.” “ Why has this factory become necessary ? ” 1 ‘ Tariff,’ ’ • -Mr sSrona»» • said tersely, “ tariff is (forcing our hands. Eve since the tariff rose tve have had a New Zealand factory in view. Tariff forces the public to lose the advantages of mass production. New Zealand at her present level is not able to produce mi mass, therefore tariff must necessarily reflect on the customer.

M'At 'the start' of 'a chocolate factory',” Mr Sara said'in 'answer to other questions, “the proportion of the sexes employed is even'. It- is after the further development of manufacture takes place that girl labour is more anti more necessary, when packing and sorting, etc., commences in a large way. Then to a large extent gills are employed. The training of a stall in the art of chocolate making will l e conducted by experts from the Old (.’mintry. A factor in our choice ol a sue is that fresh, pure milk in very large quantities is l, necessary for tne manufacture of milk chocolate. Every half-pound of milk chociolate contains a glass and a-half 'of' pure, rich, lull cream hulk.” • 1 1 •

Air Sara himself c6mes from Boin.'nville, and lias been ’associated with Cadburys since 1912, and he has a brother similarly associated with the firm, while his father \Vas with it ioi 35 yehrs.