“Christchurch Logical Manufacturing Centre”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30406, 3 April 1964, Page 12

“Christchurch Logical Manufacturing Centre”

Christchurch was the logical manufacturing centre for most of New Zealand, said a prominent Auckland manufacturer in a letter tabled at the first meeting of the industrial promotion committee of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association yesterday. “A previous unfortunate experience would not necessarily deter us, though we would require a real assurance that our recently acquired Christchurch property (zoned industrial C) would not be .rezoned to our detriment,” he said. The letter from the Auckland manufacturer said that, unfortunately, there seemed to be an impression that industry was not wanted in the South Island generally. But there was “quite a keen” inter-city competition in the North Island to attract industry. The letter specifically related to . industrial zoning

problems in Christchurch, concerning the Auckland manufacturer’s Christchurch branch factory. The meeting was under the chairmanship of the association’s president (Mr R. G. Pearce) and was attended by the chairman of the Canterbury Public Relations Committee (Mr P. F. Maples) and the Canterbury Public Relations officer (Mr C. N. Todd). The lead of Auckland and Wellington over Canterbury in salaries and wages paid in industry was quite clearly indicated, said a “background paper” report tabled by Mr Pearce.

“But, for industry, one of the disadvantages of the north is higher wages, due to competition for labour,” the report said.