REFINERY IN N.Z.

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30366, 15 February 1964, Page 21

REFINERY IN N.Z.

Latest World Techniques There had been great technical advances in oil refinery techniques in the last five years, and the New Zealand refinery in Whangarei. was right up to date: in some cases the machinery was the most modern in the world, said Mr J. H. Loudon, head of the Royal Dutch-Shell Group, in Christchurch. Mr Loudon spent a day in the city, mainly meeting local employees of the New Zealand company—or “the family,” as he called it—but he was taken on a quick tour of the city, visited the Canterbury Museum, where he was particularly taken with the early colonists’ hall, and had a brief newspaper interview. In the brief time he had been in New Zealand he had been impressed by the country’s. expanding economy, he said, and a country which was free from the strife besetting so many other countries of the world must progress. He was sure that the refinery, which is being financed by the overseas oil companies with 40 per cent New Zealand public subscription, would be good for New Zealand. As well as saving overseas exchange—an obvious advantage—it would cause extra activity, even though there was a relatively small number .of employees in an industry which was geared to automation. Mr J. B. Price, the general manager of Shell in New Zealand, took over a question whether the oil companies would be buying any of the publicly-held shares when they came on the market, and said, “Definitely no.” Mr Loudon echoed his view that it was a good thing to retain the New Zealand public holding. Mr Loudon also called on Mr Price when asked if the higher costs of labour in New Zealand would negate some of the advantages of having an industry locally. “We will try to overcome that by increased efficiency,” he said.