FURNITURE TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26616, 12 November 1947, Page 6

FURNITURE TRADE

A DIFFICULT TIME MANUFACTURERS’ PROBLEMS SHORTAGE OF MATERIALS “ Furniture manufacturers have faced difficulties during the last two or three years, and particularly over the past 12 months, which could very well have defeated a less hardy industry,” said Mr C. J. Hayward, president of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, in an interview with the Daily Times yesterday. Mr Hayward was recently reappointed president of the federation, so that the position could be held in Otago during its centennial year. . “ There has been scarcely a week in which shortages of raw materials of one kind or another have not occurred as a threat to the industry,” Mr Hayward said. At one stage of the year upholstery springs were unprocurable, and the arrival of supplies of steei spring wire was sufficiently remarkable to create a mild sensation in the trade. • „ ~ During the latter years of the war the position had become so bad that manufacturers were compelled to use nail wire for the manufacture of springs, he continued, and this was supplied by the United States under the lend-lease agreement. Upholstery covers could not be obtained, and great ingenuity was exercised by furniture manufacturers to provide people with chair and suite coverings. Shortage of Tacks

Hessian, tow, kapok and even tacks were so short that manufacturers had to search the far corners of the world to obtain supplies, Mr Hayward said. Only a few weeks ago there was only a handful of tacks in Dunedin for upholstery purposes, and it was not until a consignment arrived from a Centra) European country that the position was relieved. There are 5000 workers engaged m the furniture industry in New Zealand, and it is no exaggeration to say that the continuity of employment in the industry has at times hinged on the arrival of such seemingly insignificant materials as glue and similar substances. At the present time the Manufacturers’ Research Committee of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, as well as other manufacturers, are seeking ways and means of supplying certain classes of adhesives as a substitute for glue when supplies become inadequate. Mr Hayward mentioned that an urgent appeal for glue for Dunedin factories was recently made to the manufacturers of this material, and relief was expressed when they replied that limited supplies were available, purely on a quota basis, and that Dunedin was due for its share. This arrived at the eleventh hour, and the trade again settled down to normal work.

The furniture and cabinetmaking industry forms one of the major groups employing male labour, and Mr Hayward remarked that it was interesting to note that a high degree of efficiency in the factory and a static and contented staff had been maintained, particularly in Dunedin. Timber Supplies

Furniture is one product which is not imported in any quantity in New Zealand, but prior to the war, a considerable quantity of raw materials was obtained from overseas. Not the least of present-day difficulties is the supply of timber, and the trade has been placed on a rigid quota because New Zealand is supplying a considerable quantity of timber to Australia in return for hardwoods. Mr Hayward visited some of the Pacific islands last year and was greatly impressed with the suitability of certaintimbers which were growing in profusion in Samoa. This timber is owned by the New Zealand Government, and representations were made to it for an allocation for the furniture industry. They were rejected, but a few logs were made available for the manufacture of plywood. Repeated efforts by the furniture manufacturers have been ineffective so far as obtaining permission to import fancy timbers from overseas is concerned, and the trade is at present looking on with envious eyes whilst oak, and ash are being apportioned to various countries from Japan. It is not considered likely, however, that any large amount of timber will be obtained from Japan because purchases from Japan are based on dollars, and the furniture manufacturers do not wish to embarrass Great Britain by requests, through the New Zealand Government, for any large expenditure of dollars. Public Demand Met “This, to some extent. Sums up the ‘ behind-the-scenes ’ story of the trials and tribulations of the furniture industry,” Mr Hayward said. “Many industries throughout New Zealand are facing similar problems which, incidentally, add greatly To production costs because of the many avenues which have to be explored before materials can now be obtained which once were freely offered.” Mr Hayward added that the time and expense involved were often out of proportion to the results achieved, but human endeavour and initiative, although sometimes hampered by regular tion or restriction, had so far enabled the industry to deliver the goods so that the insistent cry for homes could be met, complete with essential furnishings.