LICENCES GRANTED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 269, 24 August 1945, Page 2

LICENCES GRANTED

MANUFACTURE OF TYRES. ONE FACTORY MAY BE IN 'CHRISTCHURCH. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 23. ' The Bureau, of Industry, acting in terms of the Industrial Efficiency Act, 1936, has granted licences to three tyre and rubber companies for the manufacture in , New Zealand of motor tyres. They are the Ounlop Rubber Company (N.Z.), Ltd., Reid (N.Z.) Rubber Mills, Ltd., and the Firestone Tyre and Rubber Company of New Zealand, Ltd. The successful companies were notified of the Bureau’s decision yesterday. It is understood that several applications beside those granted were considered by the Bureau, which heard long evidence by the applicants, as well as by interested organisations, including tyre importers, users, and others affected. “But for the war, permission would have been" given for the manufacture of tyres six years ago, when application Avas first made,” said Mr IS. F. Innes-Jones, manager for New Zealand of the Firestone Company. “It was not until this year that application was again made by prospective manufacturers.” Extensive additions to the Reid Company’s mills at Auckland will follow the granting of a licence to that firm. It is understood that the Firestone Company will- develop its esestablishment in Christchurch. The building and extension of factories and the’provision of machinery will require some time, and the companies concerned do not expect to be in full production for some time, possibly 13 months, it was stated to-dav. Mr G. P. Kelly, manager of E. W. Pidgeon and Co., Ltd., and the Goodrich Rubber Company, advises that the licence granted to Reid (N.Z.) Rubber Mills, Ltd., for the manufacture of motor , tyres is a joint licence in association with the Goodrich Rubber Company and E. W. Pidgeon Co.