OUR SECONDARY INDUSTRIES

Cromwell Argus, Volume LXI, Issue 3168, 22 June 1931, Page 4

OUR SECONDARY INDUSTRIES

o » THRIVING CHOCOLATE AND BISCUIT FACTORY FOUR HUNDRED WORKERS EMPLOYED. That the products of the manufacturers of New Zealand in general, and Dunedin in particular, must be at least of quality equal to that imported from overseas is a truth that does not require comment, but the usage of materials, plant, and labour required to create these manufactures is an aspect thatt the general public has most I probably taken for granted. j In the manufacture of their many well-known chocolate, confectionery, and biscuit lines Cadbury, Fry, Hud- ! son Ltd., have endeavoured, by purchasing the finest of raw materials and by the establishment of one of the most up-to-date factories in the Southern Hemisphere, to place before the public an article that will enable them to retain the confidence which tin New Zealand consumer has placed ii them for over sixty years. I About 400 operatives are permanently employed in this organisation, which makes huge purchases of New Zealand, as well, as of overseas primary products for the purposes of manu faeturing- their goods in Dunedin. I The magnitude of such an industry ; must play an important part in the j economic life, as well as the industrial progress of the dominion's inhabitants, j whose increased support of the local ly- ;' manufactured article is- absolutely esI sential for the lessening- of unemploy- | ment and for the producing- of a high ! standard product that reflects credit I on the producer. It is agreed that every effort should be made to educate the public to the advantages gained by asking for and buying New Zealandmade biscuits and confectionery on every possible occasion. As occasion demands and the public .support* increases, it has been found necessary to add new buildings, until the factory now has a floor space of 176,000 square feet, and is fitted with the most modern machinery procurable. Every morning hundreds rS hands enter this factory. where th* recognition of their capability and honesty of service is found in the attention given to their comfort. Piano and gramophone are supplied in the girls' well-equipped dining rooms, while a similar room is set aside fo r male workers, and both halls arc equipped with lending libraries. As a primary step in that direction Cadbury, Fry, Hudson Ltd., have always encouraged visitors to their

works in Dunedin, where every care is taken to bring- to the visitors' notice the important part that such a factory is filling- in the interests of the public, and of its staff. It is quite evident that after seeing- the many machines and processes! at work and then the nigh-class products produced, the visitor to this factory would leave with a pleasant determination to use the products of our own country. It must be borne in mind that it is to organisation such as this that people must look in* their efforts to improve the country's position and to maintain the welfare of the people. .o farmer has played so large a part in the past development of the country that our industrial achievements have not always had the recognition they deserve. Think of the part which this firm in particular has played during the last rtalf-century, of what a consumer of New Zealand-made products it has been, as well as being a producer, and of the buying power that has resulted from the employment it .has created —thanks to the ability and determination of its founder. As the demands for its products continue to increase so will its demands for labour and the produetsof other of our local industries ; and so, By a continuous pro cess of exchange, it will assist in the prosperity of the dominion, in the prosperity of which we are all con. corned and which we do our utmost to assist.'