BIG CONTRACT LET

LOCAL INDUSTRY BENEFITS EMPLOYMENT FOR A HUNDRED WORKERS. A contract for the supply of over half a million four-gallon petrol tins, involving the employment of approximately one hundred- additional workers throughout New Zealand, has been let to the Christchurch firm of J. Gadsden and Co., Ltd., by the Vacuum Oil Company, Ltd. "This has necessitated the extension of our plants in Wellington and here in Christchurch," said Mr S. W. Gadsden, a director of • the company to a Press representative yesterday. "I am now.in the middle of arrangements ifor establishing plants in Auckland and Dunedin. These should be in full within the next two months. Our Wellington plant has given additional employment to over forty unemployed men and youths since the contract has been let, and the Christchurch plant has within the last month employed fifteen additional workers Continued Employment. "It is quite safe to say,'' he continued, "'that employment will be given to one hundred unemployed men and youths for more than twelve months at the least, and there is no reason why the demand for tins should not continue. Our payroll will be increased for the year by at least £IO,OOO. ' "The contract is the first of such a size let to a New Zealand firm," Mr Gadsden said, "and in addition to establishing the two new factories in Dunedin and Auckland, it has been necessary to make extensive alterations to, and purchase additional plant for, our present factories. ■ In all, more than half a million four-gallon tins will be produced. British Material Used. "This development is quite recent, and in addition to creating employment .for bo many people the contract calls for British plate to be used in the manufacture. Before importation in bulk was decided upon by the oil companies, petrol was sent to New Zealand in tins, and these were oi American manufacture, so there is a boost for British manufactures in this

requirement," he concluded. I PETROL CASES. | ORDERS PLACED IN NEW j ZEALAND. I It is understood that contracts have been placed in New Zealand for tho manufacture of some hundreds of thousands of petrol and kerosene cases, with manufacturers at the four centres, namely: Mr William Casey, Auckland; Brownlee, Ltd., Wellington; St. Leonard Sawmilling Co., Christchurcb; and McLeqd Bros., Dunedin. The conditions of, the contract require that New Zealand timber be used, and each contractor has boen provided with a set of dies, for printing the cases, these also being made in New Zealand. Tho effecs of these activities will naturally be to resuscitate not only the box- , making industry; but also the 'sawmilling business, sincfe the timber required will keep a number of mills /operating. , .' .