HAND IN HAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 164, 14 July 1930, Page 17

HAND IN HAND.

AT WINTER SHOW. DOMINION INDUSTRIES. PRIMARY AWD SECONDARY. BUILDING FOR TEE FUTURE. During the last few years the secondary, industries side of'the Winter Exhibition has been.developing steadily. Those responsible for the continuance of the •function have realised that the primary and secondary, industries must go hand in hand. Tho various sub-committees have, therefore, worked 'with that object in view. Thus, on the opening day last Wednesday the president of tho Auckland Manufacturers. Association was heard proclaiming - that without the primary- industries- the •exhibition ■ could not exist, while on the other hand the president of the Auckland A. and P. Association expressed the hope that the -two foodies should always work amica-bly • together. In'view of these statements, a "Star" representative approached Mr. J. Findlay, secretary* of the Auckland Manufacturers' Association, who is also joint manager of the show, and obtained some lii'stoVical .facts, which have led to the building up of the industries of 2s T cw Zealand.

In the Beginning. Although there were some more or less isolated instances in the very early days of attempts being made to establish; industries in New Zealand, the small population of 597413, exclusive of Maoris, disclosed by the first census of 185S, did iiQt offer nuich scope for enterprise, and "'sixties" that any* real interest was taken in industries.,i The gold rushes in the 'sixties, however, j caused a-rapid increase in population, the census 'being as follows:—18(51, population, 99,021;.. 1804, 172,155; 1807, 218,008. ,' ■ Steady Expansion. j Since'.lSGs there, has been a steady expansion and, gradual 'development of' industries to meet the ever-growing demands, until tho present day, when they have reached dimensions which reflect great credit on the vision and foresight of those industrial pioneers who materially 'helped in laying 'the , foundation for a strong, self-supporting nation. The value of manufacturing industries to New Zealand was clearly demonstrated during the period of the Great War, when not only did they provide the greater part of the equipment of the Dominion's soldiers, but alsp, when difficulty arose in obtaining goods •. from overseas, the. New Zealand . manufacturers provided practically all necessities, thus obviating to a very large extent the hardships and handicaps which otherwise would have been experienced. - . . . . ,;-..' In the Auckland province the earliest to survive the" initiatory stage was the brewing industry, the first brewery being established, in 1839. This was followed in the "forties" by the aerated waterworks, the foundation of the firm now known ■■ as Grey and Menzies. The "fifties" saw the foundation of ..Leigh tons; Ltd., printers and bookbinders, and Bycroft, Ltd.,'millers and biscuit manufacturers. The "sixties" showed a ' growing, interest in manufacturing, and in that decade the initial start of the following well-known firms was made: George Eraser, and Sons, Ltd., and A. and'G. Price, Ltd:, engineers j J. Wiseman and Sons, Ltd., leather- manufacturers; Carder Bros, and Co., pottery manufacturers; Warnock Bros., soap manufacturers; 'Sim-lands, ■ Ltd;, .chemicals-; A. Kohn, Ltd.> jewellers; the Auckland Gas Co., and several others. In 1870 the "Auckland Star" as the "Evening News" was first published. -:. >

The "seventies" may well be , regarded as the real beginning of the industrial era, the time-when'th£ possibilities of manufacturing as. a -material factor in the progress of the Dominion began to bo realised. The increased interest led to the establishment of a considerable number of factories,'which by the end of. the "eighties" comprised the majority of' the most important industries. The expansion of (these and the development of additional industries continued throughout, the "nineties,"- and in succeeding years, till now New Zealand is in the happy position of being able to provided or practically all -the' necessities of the.population. •;.;;' Hand in Hand. . \*The wealth and prosperity of New Zealand are entirely dependent upon our producers —the tillers of the soil —and the craftsmen who produce the , manufactured, ancles," said Mr. Mndlay. "From being an almost solely exporting country, New Zealand has -developed its manufacturing industries until each year sees it approaching nearer and nearer to an ideal; community, which -will be independent? and self-supporting, exporting such surpluses as .are'not needed for home consumption, in exchange for those goods' -.which cannot be economically manufactured here. "Nature has endowed our country bountifully with almost every mineral required for manufacturing*, our own goods',";' ! he Continued.' "Cdal and electric energy" are * every where available for the supply. of -cheap...,power., necessary: 1 f or profitable production! Our tropical territories in Samoa and the Gook Islands are eminently.suited for the'production of raw materials required from such sources. ..Our , u?,ti.oual. l s,tQQk ..and. .Ayr , climate are producing a virile and in- j

telligent race, capable of developing this Britain in the Pacilic to its utmost resources. By higher education, scientific research and training, both our primary and secondary industries are capable of enormous expansion, and greater production, per, head of population. , We enjoy a standard of living which ranks amongst ,tlie highest in the civilised countries of the world. To maintain and improve that standard and keep pace with trie march of other countries, the urgent need is for a full recognition. of the mutual interests of all producers.

"By the application of improved farming methods, better and cheaper machinery, more productive live stock and greater use of fertilisers, the reduced cost 'and increased production of raw materials and foods would mean a rise in the fanners' profits and his standard of living as his income increased," ho said. "With, specialisation and standardisation our factories, mills and workshops can be made far more productive and- fully callable of supplying our manufactured goods of better quality and at lower cost than imported articles. By a. closer co-operation and co-ordination of effort between the town and country interests, such as a winter

exhibition helps forward, it will be possible to develop all our industries to the highest point of economic and efficient output. That will increase the income of every producer and raise his standard of living also by reducing the cost.

Producing for Ourselves. "By producing for ourselves," declaved Mr. Findlay, "our people arc protected in peace time against exploitation by overseas trusts and combines. In time of war our isolation from overseas markets imperils our prosperity. A violent industrial upheaval may paralyse our shipping facilities. With supreme faith and enlightened vision the patriotic New Zealander should look ahead to a future nation of healthy, wealthy and happy citizens, safe and secure in an independent and self-supporting island home." In order to show the great strides secondary industries have made in the Dominion, Mr. Eindlay gave the following particulars: Last year the factories of New Zealand employed 83,080 persons. Paid £17,055,745 in wages. Used £57,870,570 worth of raw materials. Added £33,301,052 in value. Produced £93,172,222 worth of. goods. Employed 403,600 horse-power. Occupied £07,519,SSO worth of land, plant and buildings.