GREAT INDUSTRIAL CENTRE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 33, 3 November 1937, Page 6

GREAT INDUSTRIAL CENTRE

Hon. D. G. Sullivan Opens Hutt Exhibition DISTRICT’S PROSPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT “We live in a wonderful district; we have great natural resources; the area of flat land in the valley is tremendous, said the president of the Hutt valley Exhibition Society, Mr. E. S. Carey, J.P., in extending a welcome to the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon. I) G. Sullivan, at the opening of the Hutt Valley Industrial Exhibition laat night. , . The Hutt Valley was served by one of the best commercial harboura in New Zealand, said Mr. Carey. Its population was increasing rapidly and if at the present time Lower Hutt and Petoue amalgamated, as it appeared would eventually happen, the population of the district would be about 27,000. Was it too much to hope that ultimately the Hutt Valley would rival Wellington in importance.' Mr. Carey outlined what could be done to increase the importance of the Hutt Valley. He visualised the dredging of the Hutt River to form an anchorage and wharves for shipping, and the erection of other facilities which would make the Hutt the most important industrial centre in New Zealand. .... , It was with tho idea of bringing about these things that the Lower Hutt Chamber of Commerce had sponsored the first industrial exhibition two years ago, he t-aid. The size of the present fixture had been limited only fey the space available, but it showed clearly what the district could do to supply the needs of the people. If the residents used local manufactures the valley would rise rapidly in its importance. Rapid Increase in Importance. “I have paid many visits to the Hutt Valley, but this is the first time I have done so in an oflicial capacity, said Mr. Sullivan, in declaring the exhibition open. On previous visits b e had appreciated two things about the Hutt district. First, the beautiful homes; the Hutt could almost be called the ‘ Orty of Homes.’’ More interesting than that, however, was the extraordinary development in industries during the past 10 ' Quoting a report from the. Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash, who was unable to be present, Mr. Sullivan said it was remarkable that so many industries could be concentrated in a space such as tiie Hutt Valley. During recent years motor factories had provided a wonderful industry. That was but one branch. Tobacco factories, soap factories, woollen mills, paint factories, chocolate factories, freezing works, and, not the least, the Railway Workshops, were all operating there. . , „ “It is a wonderful thing to have all those packed into this district,” said the Minister. “It will not be possible to keep the valley back, and it must become a still greater industrial centre.” Importance of Industry. Her industries were of the utmost importance to New Zealand, he said. On them depended the ability of a great number of people to obtain a living. Giving as an example the railway workshops. Mr. Sullivan said that during the yqpr ended last March the Government ha.d paid to manufacturers, merchants, and others through the ■workshops no less than £633,094, and for materials manufactured in the workshops £332.062. Coal and coke had cost £529,037, and miscellaneous stores a further £90,000. There had also been £110,085 paid through the _Australian Trade Commissioner, and £651,226 paid through the High Commissioner in London. The total amount for stores purchased and materials manufactured had reached £2,375,417. From investigations conducted into New. Zealand industries by the .Government. Mr. Sullivan said it had been found that the grain-milling industry absorbed £1,.‘1'30,000 of New Zealand’s raw material.*, wages totalled £170,000. 743 pe.\de were kept in employment, and the value of the products reached £2.349,000. The woollen milling industry employed 2792 people, the wages paid totalling £406,000. A total of £570,000 worth of New Zealand raw materials was absorber, and the value of the products manufactured reached £1,231,000. He gave similar figures for the boot-manufactur-ing and brewing industries. Those figures showed what the creation of industries meant to the people. The Government, was taking a keen interest in secondary industries, and Mr. Sullivan said that he had been trying to help industries for many years. Increasing Efficiency. For industries to play their part they must be efficient, and the Government was trying to bring about some system of standardisation to increase the efficiency and reduce waste. It had introduced a' scheme of scientific research into industry, and last year had made provision for scientific research associations. That was to be continued, and there would finally be an association for each separate industry. When these things - were completed, the Government would feel that it had put the country’s industries on a sound footing. Mr. Sullivan then declared the exhibition onen. During the evening there were musical and dancing items on the stage. The Lower Hutt Municipal Band, under the conductorehip of Mr. A. O. Kaye, was in attendance.