Manukau-Waikato Canal Plan

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30914, 22 November 1965, Page 3

Manukau-Waikato Canal Plan

(N.Z Press Association) WELLINGTON. Industry and government were today urged to investigate the creation of a Manukau-Waikato canal.

The suggestion was made by the Undersecretary of Industries and Commerce and Customs (Mr Adams-Schneider).

In his address to close the industrial development seminar, Mr Adams-Schneider reviewed the attractions of Hamilton for new industry. Dealing with the city’s situation, he said there were existing moves ahead in transport including the building of the Kaimai tunnel with ready access to the expanding market of the Bay of Plenty and port of Tauranga. “There is the possibility (and it is only a possibility at present) of the creation of a Manukau-Waikato canal—-

with long-term prospects of an added and possibly less costly access to the Auckland market.

Mr Adams-Schneider, said the Hamilton area ranked as the fourth most important manufacturing region in the country by value of output, £51.8 million in 1962-63.

In that period there were almost 600 establishments

classified as factories employing more than 8300 persons. Mr Adams-Schneider said Hamilton’s industrial growth was proving unable to absorb the new working population of the area. Positive efforts must be made to improve the efficiency of production. The area also

needed one important industry, which at first would at-

tract ancillary industries and then others. He also discussed the economic survey of the HamiltonWaikato region which the Department of Industries and Commerce would undertake next year. The survey would highlight regional problems, potential for expansion and the way in which results were likely to be achieved.

“But fundamentally it will be a basis for action and work,” Mr Adams-Schneider said. “The intention of the Government is to help the region to help itself.”