Preparing For Change

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31332, 31 March 1967, Page 12

Preparing For Change

In Australia, the change went smoothly, and a few firms in New Zealand were inclined to take the matter too cheaply, he said when officially opening a machineryconversion plant being used by Burroughs, Ltd., in Christchurch. “If everyone does his homework properly there will be no trouble and we will have a smooth change-over here,” Mr Moses said. The new plant in Christchurch would convert about 7000 machines, and the com-

pany engaged to pick ufkand deliver machines would travel 200,000 miles in the South Island, said the' general manager for the company in New Zealand (Mr J. 1. Martin). Mr Moses said there would be only two conversion plants in the South Island, both in Christchurch. Machines from all over the South Island, except the Nelson-Marlborough area, would be converted in turn at Christchurch plants. They ranged from the smallest adding machine to electronic units. In the first week, machines from Half Moon Bay, the West Coast, Invercargill, part of Christchurch, and • part of Dunedin would be being converted. A 15-month conversion period was planned, “but we are .confident it will be shorter,” he said. New techniques being used at the Burroughs plant would save time, and this meant less time for dual currency.

At present, the plant had a staff of 20, which would build up to 34, Mr Moses said. The firm would convert about 90 per cent of the machines used by trading and savings banks. I The conversion of machines 1 would be as efficient as posi sible, he said. The board was 1 aware it was dealing with tax- • payers’ money. More effici--1 ency meant greater savings. 1 and other savings would be - made by sending some ma- ' chines to Australia by air for ■ conversion. The Mayor (Mr G. Man- > ning) expressed pleasure that ! the city would play an importt ant part in the change to the • new currency, and business re- ■ presentatives inspected the plant. ; The photograph shows Mr Moses (left) watching > Mrs L. Hawke testing a t converted machine. On > the right is Mr D. W. Mander, the plant manager.