THE OTAGO PROVINCE

Evening Star, Issue 19175, 16 February 1926, Page 4

THE OTAGO PROVINCE

ITS GREAT INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AH HISTORICAL RECORD Part 11. In the manufacture of cereals, flour, of course, is by far the most important, and from the old stone nulls of the early days tjie industry has developed until to-day the most modem appliances are familiar in every mill. Barley of first-class quality is grown in Central Otago and at llawea Flat. Most of it is malted tor the breweries, but a considerable quantity is also employed in the manufacture of extract of malt, a commodity of considerable importance, and one which is produced of first-class quality. “ UNWARRANTED PREJUDICE.”

The experience of a maker of this line may serve to illustrate the unwarrantable prejudice which some still have against “colonial ” manufactures. Some time back quotations and samples of malt extract wore asked for by a fairly large buyer. He condemned the local article on the ground of inferior quality. The local maker handed his sample to an indent agent, whose quotation was at once accepted and the quality approved. This prejudice is dying. Unfortunately it is not yet dead. The breweries of Dunedin are favorably known beyond our shores, while within the dominion their territory extends from the North Cape to Stewart. Island. The first chemical manure works in the dominion were established at Burnside by Kempthorne, Prosser, and Co.’s New Zealand DVug Company. Since then the manufacture of manure has become an adjunct of practically all freezing works. ONE OF EARLIEST INDUSTRIES. The manufacture of aerated waters was .among the earliest established of Qtago industries, and it has continually developed with the growth of the province. It was materially assisted by the discovery of mineral springs not far from Dunedin, which have been very extensively developed. A very fine plant has been established there, surrounded by beautiful grounds and a well-laid-out park. The waters from this spring have taken notable prizes at Exhibitions in many parts of the world, and a demand for them exists all over the dominion. One of the most laborious processes in this business—the washing of bottles —has been revolutionised by the invention of a very effective machine, which accomplishes the work not only more oxpcditio'nsly, but also much more thoroughly than is Possible by hand. This machine was oth invented and manufactured in Dunedin, and has been adopted by users of bottles in many other parts of this dominion.

Many of the opponents of local manufactures are somewhat lenient regarding those factories which use native material, but roundly condemn the importation of materials to make an article instead of importing the article in its finished state. With our heavy interest payments it should bo obvious that every commodity should ho imported in its lowest form of value, and not in its highest. CHOCOLATES AND IRON. Our splendid confectionery works and onr well-established iron foundries should be a sufficient answer, but to some at least it is not. They still argue that it would be better to import finished ranges and chocolates rather than a fraction of the value in the form of pig iron and cocoa beans. The quality of local chocolates and other sweetmeats is excellent, and that this is recognised by a discriminating public is evident, by the magnificent factories and the huge number of operatives employed in this trade. Confectionery affords yet another instance of Otago goods being widely used throughout the dominion.

The foundries of Otago are well equipped for their purposes, and their engineering; and forging work is shipped all over the dominion. With a very moderate assistance from the Customs Department this industry could bo enormously extended, and could provide employment for greatly-increased numbers of operatives. Metal bedsteads and wrought ironwork, such as park gates and lift surrounds, of beautiful workmanship and design, are to be found in all parts of Now Zealand. Perambulators and go carts, including the wheels and other parts, are also manufactured hero. MACHINERY, ETC.

Dairy equipment, although it occupies a number of artisans, could be much increased with a very little encouragement from Customs protection; and, if this were accorded, it is doubtful if the cost to our dairies would be increased. Wood-working machinery has lately, been quite satisfactorily placed on the market; also internal combustion engines. In agricultural implements our output is not so groat as it was many years ago, before foreign makers took possession of the market. However, it has dawned on us that we pay more for similar implements than neighboring colonies, which have maintained protection, and perhaps there is hope for a revival here without detriment to the farmer.

Tho scarcity of domestic labor has created a demand for any device that reduces household work. This has led to the more extensive use of cooking by gas, and in meeting this demand Dunedin has not been backward. One of our firms lias placed on the market an admirable series of gas conking stoves; and it is interesting to note that these have not only met the local demand, but that northern firms also draw large supplies from here. USE OF SCRAP-IRON.

In. a country such as New Zealand there is necessarily a very large amount of scrap-iron. Local ingenuity has utilised this by establishing iron-rolling mills. During the war period the advantage of having such a mill in the country was amply demonstrated. Not only the private foundries, but the various Government departments, leaned very heavily on this mill, and it is a matter of congratulation that it was able to meet in a quite reasonable manner the enormous demand thus made upon it. It is fair to state that the prices charged for bar iron during this period were probably lower in New Zealand than anywhere else. MALLEABLE CASTINGS.

An almost unknown industry in com nection with the iron trade, carried on quite successfully in our midst, is the manufacture or malleable castings. This term may not convey a definite idea to the average reader, and it may he explained that the process consists of converting cast-iron goods from the friable state and developing in them the properties of malleability and also of flexibility. In hrnssfounding our factories are able to produce water fittings, and, indeed, many other classes of work, which command their trade on account both

of their finish and of their quality. With fine pluck one firm in this trade has, laid down valuable automatic lathes, which are almost human in their operation, and has also spent many thousands of pounds on a huge press which stamps copper washing boilers from the sheet of copper, thus obviating all seams.