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Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1939, Page 6

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ESTABLISHMENT OF FACTORIES IN WELLINGTON. ACTION BY AUSTRALIAN FIRMS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 5. The establishment of three factories in Wellington as the result of import restrictions was announced by business executives who arrived from Sydney by the Awatea. One factory, controlled by an Australian company, will manufacture cigarettes and tobacco and another will produce dessert jellies, formerly imported from Canada. The. nature of the third factory was not disclosed, but it was stated that new machinery would be installed. “Rather than lose our goodwill, we have been forced into the establishment of a factory in New Zealand." said Mr T. S. Varley, a director of Godfrey Phillips (Australia) Proprietary, Limited, Melbourne. “We have had no choice in the matter, because of the import regulations. The decision to build was made at the beginning of the year, and our plans have now been completed.” Mr Varley declined to give the figure that the erection of the factory will involve, nor would he indicate how extensive the building would be. He said a reasonably large number of hands would be employed. Mr Varley left for Wellington by the Limited express and will remain in New Zealand for an indefinite period after final arrangements have been discussed. An importer, whose business was practically wiped out by the restrictions, Mr N. W. Stevens, Wellington, said that during his visit to Sydney he arranged final details for opening a factory to make jellies. He had beenin constant touch with the Canadian manufacturers of a product now banned from New Zealand, and they had supplied full details of manufacture. Jellies identical with those supplied from Canada would be made and a sample from every batch would be sent to Canada to safeguard the standard. “I can assure New Zealanders that they will be able to procure jellies equal in quality to the imported article,” added Mr Stevens. The cost of building the factory was not given, but he said a staff of about 2,5 would be employed.