Leyland To Extend Christchurch Plant

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31315, 10 March 1967, Page 14

Leyland To Extend Christchurch Plant

The Leyland Motor Corporation, which moved its subsidiary, Motor Assemblies, Ltd., from Christchurch to the Nelson cotton mill building two years ago now planned to extend its Christchurch Leyland truck facilities, said the corporation’s managing director (Sir Donald Stokes) in Christchurch last evening.

Sir Donald Stokes, who is on an overseas tour, said that he hoped to expand staff in Christchurch a little. “I don’t want you to think it is a multi-million pound deal,” he said. “We have a nice, steady growth in the South Island and we want to increase our facilities to match our growth in truck and bus services.”

Sir Donald Stokes said that his organisation was a little worried in case licences for cars should be further restricted.

He had had talks with the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake), the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall), the Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon) and the Minister of Transport (Mr Gordon). He declined to say what the result of the talks was. I explained our problems and they listened sympathetically.” He said that his corporation had taken over the manufacture of Rover cars and Land Rovers since he was last in Christchurch two years ago.

were working at Motor Assemblies’ Nelson plant The production plant had settled down very well after the shift from Christchurch. Production at Nelson was just over 2000 cars a year at the moment “This is not as high as we would like it to be.” Sir Donald Stokes said that he thought New Zealand’s economic problems at the moment were only temporary and thought people generally were welcoming it

He said that 300 persons