A SIGN OF THE TIMES.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1917, Page 4

A SIGN OF THE TIMES.

NESTLE'S IMPORTANT MOVE. By Telegraph—Own Correspondent Palmerston North, April t>. One of the lnost cheering signs of the glowing confidence in commercial and financial circles in itlio early termination of the war is reported from Palmerston North. Some time -before the outbreak of hostilities the Nestle Preserved Milk Company decided to estabi lish a branch of its manufut'turing business in New Zealand, and, after due consideration 'fixed upon Palmerston North as the site for its enterprise. The company purchased 31 acres of land within two or three miles of the town, having easy access to the railway and to all the principal milking districts for' miles around, and had plans prepared for a thoroughly up-to-date t'aXory of the most extensive dimension:-. The war put a stop to the preparations for, the building, and it was feared would delay 'the realisation of the enterprise for some years, but last week Mr. J. H. Johnstone, who has been looking after the interests of the company, received by cable instructions to proceed with the preliminary work, including •the sinking of an artesian well capable of supplying a million gallons of water a day, and, on representing to the company that the cost of the work would now largely exceed the original estimate, he was directed nc't to allow this to interfere with his arrangements for j a moment. Mr. Johnston required no further urging, and the well sinking plant is now on the ground making rapid progress with an important part of what promises to be one of the biggest manufacturing establishments in the Dominion. Observant people here regard the action of 'the company in hurrying on its undertaking as a most encouraging indication of the early termination of the war, and the restoration of normal conditions.