INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 June 1939, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION

IN VARIOUS PARTS OF DOMINION. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Further indications of industrial expansion in various parts of the Dominion were mentioned by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Sullivan, in an interview last evening. He said that one of the direct results of the imposition of restrictions/ on the importation of dental paste had been a marked increase in the production of the locally-produced lines, and this increased production had, in the case of one firm, made possible a reduction in price of 16 per cent. The production of boxes and containers had expanded very considerably during the year as was shown by the production figures of one firm for cartons and cardboard boxes of all descriptions which, in 1939, it was anticipated, would show an increase of nearly 30 per cent. Compared with 1935 the. turnover of this particular firm in 1938 was almost double, and the 1939 figure would show an increase of 150 per cent on that of 1935. ' Reference had been made previously to various proposals for the manufacture of washing machines in New Zealand and an overseas concern had now decided that the location of its factory should be in Wellington owing to the advantage of having in close proximity facilities for enamelling. Another engineering concern had announced that it was extending its production to include the manufacture of electric irons. An Auckland company, which acted in a distributing capacity for a considerable number of clothing firms, had taken new premises, and contemplates engaging an additional 50 to 60 hands. A well-known company manufacturing a variety of food products had advised that it was about to commence the production of corn flakes, and proposed to install a large amount of new machin-, ery. The extra staff to be employed would be about 15. Another Auckland company was about to extend the range of its activities to include the manufacture of resin core solder for use in radio and similar work. A new hydraulic press was being constructed, and production would, in all probability, be commenced within the next two or three weeks. It was mentioned previously that it had been decided by one company to enter upon the production of pot mits in their factory, and production was now proceeding steadily, nine girls turning out a very large number each week. A considerable volume of orders were on hand, and as more machines became available, additional hands would be taken on. >