NEW MOTOR WORKS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 408, 15 April 1937, Page 2

NEW MOTOR WORKS.

AT LOWER HUTT. Only New Zealand Labour Engaged. Congratulations' to the directors upon their judgment and foresight in building a factory which represented another milestone along the road to complete industrial and economic development in New Zealand were extended by the Minister of Transport, Hon. R. Semple, when he officially opened the nev,' assembly plant, at Lower Hutt of the Ford Motor Company of New Zealand, Ltd.

Almost every section of the business community was represented at he ceremony, over which Mr G. H. Jackson, managing director of the company, presided. Ministers of the Crown who were present in addition to Mr Semple ‘Were Hon. F. Langstone, Minister of Lands, and Hon. H. G. R. Mason, Attorney-General. Mr Jack Son, who welcomed the visitors, read a cablegram from the president ot the Canadian Ford Motor Company, Mr W. R. Campbell. The new building, said Mr Jackson, completed the British Empire ahain of Ford factories. It contained the latest ideas and was thoroughly up-to-date in every way. The factory bad actually been operating since October last, but now that ell the equipment had been installed it was possible to gauge v.iiat was being attempted In New Zealand. The expenditure by the company had been substantial. So far just under half a million pounds had been spent in the Dominion. Included in that sum were wages, materials, -transport costs, insurance charges and taxes. Staff of 650. The number of men employed' in the factory on production work was over 600, the total number on the staff being about 650. At. present the wage bill was over £17,000 a month. The plant had been designed |to produce five finished units in one hour. At the moment one complete unit v.’as being turned out every 15 minutes. It was 1 a matter of satisfaction to the company that only New Zealand labour was employed in that work. It had not been found necessary to import men to do the job. Minister's Tribute. On behalf of the directors, Mb Jackson presented Mr Semple with a gold key as a memento of the occar sion. The Minister, in replying, expressed his appreciation at having been asked to declare the new factory officially- open. “Happy surroundings breed happy folk, and happy folk are always conented,” said the Minister. “That lesson is manifest in this factory. Cleanliness is apparent in a most picturesque fashion." He was glad to hear Mr Jackson say that the New Zealand workmen measured up to hose in any other country. He had always maintained that, given the opportunity, New Zealand workers were competent to hold their own with the best in the world. Facts showing the growth of the motor industry in New Zealand were cited by the Minister, who said that when the first car appeared in the Dominion in 1896 no one dreamed of the development that was to follow. The number of cars in New Zealand in 1914 was 20,000, in 1925 123,000, in 1930 195,000, in 1935, 214,000, and’ at the end of last year 241,915. "As far as we have been able to ascertain 118 additional cars are going on the road every day in New Zealand,” said Mr Semple. The cost of vehicles imported into the Dominion in 1936 was £3,550,000; the annual cost of 'the operation of all vehicles was over £30,000,000. The number of persons engaged in the motor industry 'Was- estimated at 50,000, with a wages bill of at least £10,000,000 a year. ■ Users of motorvehicles paid in direct taxation over £6,000,000 >a year. Second Only to U.S.A. The motor industry, said Mr bemple, had not only revolutionised the transport system, but it had also revolutionised methods of road construction. In 1925 New Zealand had 700 miles of paved roads and in 1935 3000 miles. In 1925 there were 28,000 miles of metalled roads, and in 1935 37,000. New Zealand was now the second’ most highly-motorised country in the World, being second only .o the United S ates of America. Mr Semple congratulated the Ford company upon its enterprise in New Zealand. “We welcome you li,ert>.” lie added. “We are delighted with he results so far, we are glad tp know that our- workers are giving satisfaction, and we wish you every success.” The visitors, who numbered nearly 300, were shown over the factory and later entertained at afternoon tea. The building is of modern earth-quake-resisting design, with many de.ails of construction new to New Zea-

land, though it is 'all of a pattern with other modern Ford factories, following exactly the lines laid down by the company’s engineers at headquarters. The roof design, technically styled the M and H monitor construction, takes unexpected slopes and angles to give maximum light and evenness’ of lighting. The glass area is equivalent to more than half the floor area; .there are almost two acres of skylight and glazed wall panels.