NEW INDUSTRY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 173, 15 March 1932, Page 2

NEW INDUSTRY

DUNEDIN FIRM EMBARKS UPON MANUFACTURE OF LAUNDRY BLUE CAN COMPETE WITH OVERSEAS DUNEDIN, Wednesday. The birth of a new industry, particularly during depressed times like the present, is certgin to be attended by a warm welcome from those who are interested in the economic progress of the Dominion. Therefore, the fact that laundry blue is now being made in Dunedin is an item of news which is distinctly encouraging. Successful experiments by a skilled chemical staff have led to the establishment of the premises and plant essential for the manufacture of this very necessary domestic article, and already a marked advance has been made towards the stage when the requirements of busy New Zealand housewives can be largely coped with When the work is in full swing it will be possible to turn .out no fewer than 25,000 cubes of blne each day. Over the next few months it is expected that about half the Dominion's needs can be me.t, but within three months the operations can be so expanded to enable the company to supply the whole of the country's demands, which amount to about 10,000,000 cubes a year. The methods of those associated with the work are said to make it possible for the company easily to compete with overseas interestS, while further pleasing features of the new industry are that only New Zealand [ capital is involved in the business side of the concern, and that some employment will be available for local men and women. Comparatively small though the industry may appear, it can be said that this blue manufaeturing establishment is the only venture of its kind in the Dominion, and that it will retain over £20,000 a year in this country. This means that it will play a worthy part #n helping to withstand the economic stress under which N§w Zealand is at present labouring. In time jt is boped that the company will be able to piake its own. raw materials, so that the whole industry will commpnce apd finish on the Dunedin premises. In the future certain kindred lines of manufacture will receive eonsideration, but in the meaptime the plant will work at full pressure to cope with the inquiries now on hand for blue.