NEW INDUSTRIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 May 1939, Page 6

NEW INDUSTRIES

EXPANSION REPORTED BY MINISTER GOOD PROGRESS THROUGHOUT DOMINION. MANUFACTURERS’ RESPONSE TO CALL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. “Further evidence is available of the continuance of industrial expansion throughout'the Dominion,’’ said the Minister of Industries (the Hon D. J. Sullivan) in an interview today, “and it is gratifying to witness the response being made by manufacturers to the Government’s call for increased production. Manufacturers of baths and wash basins in the Wellington district have expanded their productive capacity very considerably, their expenditure on additions to premises and equipment for the manufacture of cast iron porcelain enamel baths, basins and sinks has been in the region of £12,000.” New Zealand manufacturers. Mr Sullivan said, should now be able to supply the whole of New Zealand’s requirements in these products, so that the Dominion could become quite independent of supplies from overseas. He added that another Wellington concern was considering the manufacture of snow skis. A chemical company which was established some time ago at Miramar vzas now producing a wide range of cosmetics and the like and was making plans to increase its production and to extend the range of its products to include disinfectants and detergents. Cosmetics were also being made in increasing quantities by other concerns in other centres. A paper bag company had applied for and been granted a licence to import one of the very latest machines for the manufacture of paper bags, which would enable the company to produce large size bags which previously had been made by hand. Negotiations were also in train between a Wellington concern and its Australian company for the importation of machinery and moulds for the manufacture of bottle seals. Suppliers of a weighing machine reported a considerable increase in industrial requirements for new weighing machines and in the servicing of existing units. Christchurch clothing manufacturers reported that orders had been received for bathing suits, and in particular bathing shorts, for next summer. The season already exceed any previous period. Paper bag manufacturers reported that they were developing the manufacture of merchandise celophane bags, which was a new line so far as this ! company was concerned. Another concern had commenced the manufacture of radio sets and was giving consideration to the manufacture of washing machines and wringers. Stationery manufacturers reported staff increases, the increasing demand being particularly noticeable in the cases of gums and pastes. Tailors had experienced a considerable increase in demand for outer clothing from retail stores during the past few months and found difficulty in obtaining sufficient numbers of female operatives. An Auckland company was considering- proposal? tc commence the manufacture of belts and 'buckles suitable for light materials, such as frocks. Inquiries from local tanners had shown that certain varieties of leather would be suitable for some of the heavier types of belts. A new company was proposing to start the manufacture of engineers’ waste from flax fibre and production was expected to be commenced during the next three or four months. Confectionery manufacturers in the Auckland district had taken on additional hands and plans were being considered for making extensions to buildings at a cost of approximately £6.500. Paint and varnish manufacturers in Wellington had experienced extremely busy conditions. An overseas concern which had erected a new factory was now in production at Miramar and so was another overseas, concern whose factory was ejected at Lower Hutt. Still another concern was installing extra plant to cope with an increased demand.