TOURS OF INSPECTION

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 217, 11 June 1935, Page 3

TOURS OF INSPECTION

Manufacturers Pay Visit to

Motor Works

To see pieces of shapeless metal bent, welded, and painted, and indistinguishable parts of a motorcar chassis assembled in their correct order, and finally to see the whole emerge as a modern 1 .ixurious automobile, was the experience of a party from the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association which paid a visit to the assembly plants of General Motors, Ltd., and Todd Motors, Ltd., at Petoue yesterday afternoon.

Among the party was the Hon. Sir Alexander Young, Minister of Internal Affairs, who displayed a keen interest in the organisation of the factories and in all the technical departments. The visitors were initiated into the mysteries and marvels of the industry in every department and no important detail was omitted. The party left Wellington shortly after 2 p.m., and the tours did not conclude until 5 p.m. All phases of the assembling of a motor-car were seen working. The visitors watched big strips of metal welded together in the space of a few minutes; they listened to the nerveracking rattling as red-hot rivets were driven home; they made their way through paint rooms; and they admired the swift precision with which the upholstery is cut.

Particular interest was taken in the body welding machine in the General Motors factory. Standing about 12 feet high ami something like a gigantic cradle in shape, the machine is a mass of electric cables and clamps. In it, the roof and sides of the body are welded together within a few minutes by complicated machinery. It was explained that the pieces of the machine were sent out separately from the parent factory, ami they were then assembled from blue prints and a series of photographs by New Zealand workmen. who had never seen the machine previously, it was a tribute to the skill of the mechanics that as soon as the power was turned on for the first time the machine worked perfectly. On arrival at the General Motors factory the party was met and welcomed by Mr. W. E. Waterhouse. general sales manager, who mentioned that about 450. men were employed at the works and present indications were that there would be no difficulty in keeping them there. lie went on to describe the organisation of the factory by which the assembling of the motor-car was carried forward stage by stage until it finally emerged ready for the road.

At the conclusion of the visit. Sir Alexander Young expressed the thanks of the visitors for the tour and the courtesy which had been extended to them, and congratulated Mr. Waterhouse on

the efficiency of the works. He was glad to know there were such a large number of New Zealanders employed, and he complimented the company on what it had done to relieve unemployment-.