OUR INDUSTRIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 956, 26 April 1930, Page 6

OUR INDUSTRIES

This is the twelfth of a series of informative articles that are being published in THE SUN weekly throughout 1930. describing many of New Zealand’s most important industries.

Kaiapoi Woollens

WONDERFUL N.Z. MILL —ITS RECORD

AND ITS SCOPE

IN the early days a£ New Zealand’s settlement, Kaiapoi was considered to be a very important place. It was the chief stronghold of the Ngaitahn tribe of Maoris who established themselves in a strongly fortified pa on the actual site of the present well-equipped Kaiapoi Woollen Mills-—a mill which is known throughout New Zealand and, in fact, throughout the world, as the headquarters of the New Zealand woollen trade.

The present mill was started as a flaxmill, but it was soon turned to a small woollen mill, and later, in IS7B, sold to the late Hon. T. J; Peacock, who turned it into a company. For some years" the business remained comparatively small, growing a little, but slowly, very largely due to the disinclination of a large section of the people to encourage manufacturing as they believed, without any clearly defined reason, that New Zealand never could become a manufacturing country.

As time went on this prejudice was broken down, and the position today is that from every civilised country in the world the company is from time to time receiving requests for Kaiapoi goods. The goods asked for are rugs of all qualities, blankets of the best grades, together with clothing and underwear, thus showing that in spite of all difficulties the activities in wool manufacture in these Southern lands have obtained fame and favour the world over.

The Kaiapoi Company’s mills and workrooms have the reputation that they are the best equipped in the Southern Hemisphere. Great Britain has larger units, but none better in equipment. This fact has been ac-

knowledged by experts from the Old Country. It would appear from the demand now being made for New Zealand woollen goods that the public has at last realised the value of the goods produced in their own country, and by their fellow-citizens. This applies to every class of woollen manufactures. NOTHING BETTER MADE In woollen goods there is nothing better in the world than is produced in this country by the Kaiapoi Company. For example, the improvement in the design, cut and finish of cardigans and lumber jackets of beautiful patterns has produced a garment that is favourably known throughout the country. The Kaiapoi sports suits range is contended by some of the most critical buyers to be the finest ever produced in or brought into the Dominion.

WELFARE OF WORKERS In this spirit the employers have established a welfare fund and other benefits, which prove that the company does not regard the workers as cogs in the wheels of industry. The arrangement of satisfactory wages is not the begininng and end of the contract with the employees. The human element is recognised. The management strives for a happy working fellowship for the good of each and all throughout the service, and for the advantages of the community as a whole. Beginners in the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company's service receive a substantial wage and every worker has freedom of opportunity to earn a high wage, according to ability and energy. The company’s range of employment includes the original mill at Kaiapoi (much expanded since thfe establishment in 1878), a new mill at Woolston (a near suburb of Christchurch), and workrooms for the making of clothing, costumes, shirts and caps. There is a large warehouse at Christchurch, and branch warehouses in the other main centres. The company's travellers visit every town and township from the far north of Auckland to the Bluff. Girls can make good money in any

department of the Kaiapoi Companv’s service, particularly at weaving in the mills of Kaiapoi and Woolston. Hosiery has been the special line at the new Woolston establishment, but the equipment there includes a large number of looms for w-eaving. Marvellous machinery has been evolved to lighten the work, which no longer taxes the strength. Good light, ample space, and clean fresh air are other aids to comfort. As the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company has added to its plant and machinery, so have the opportunities increased for good employment. COMPETITION TO BE MET The English manufacturer has an advantage over his New Zealand com petitor in respect to hours and wages. In England not less than a 48-hour week is worked, as compared with - 4a-hour week In New Zealand. A pro ducti°ii of three hours a week m respect to nearly 2,50(1 employ-

ees means in itself a serious incraMC in overhead, also there bee an Increase In New Zealand wadi of 100 per cent., whereas the tori§ has remained stationery.

The comparison of fite sates Qg wages paid in England and New teo land is distinctly favourable to Af English factory owner. An b|M made some time ago aypp—j

to show that the highest rate of wages paid in England was Is 2Jd an hour and 9ld an hour for men and women respectively. In New Zealand the highest minimum rate which is paid to the majority of workers in the industry is 2s Id a hour for men, and Is an hour for women. One in every 600 of the people in New Zealand are employed in woollen mills.

As showing how well-known the Kaiapoi name is, the company has *o*

ceived inquiries for the productions o Kaiapoi from the United States. Canada, United Kingdom, Souu 1 Africa, Australia, Spain, Jamaica, France, Belgium, Holland, Cn™** Italy, India, the Argentine, and Siam. In conclusion, it can be safely said that the Kaiapoi Company ha shown what can be achieved by energy, enterprise and efficier. business organisation. With * very moderate amount of ass'S - ance furnished by duties on uh“ ported woollens, it has built up a vast business in the face of keen- . est competition from overseas, ana despite the croakers who tell **• that New Zealand can never hop® to manufacture for export, there is an overseas demand for certain products in which the company has specialised. Our industries are well worthy of the fullest sup" port. This conpiany alone finds constant employment for well o v ® one thousand operatives.