INTEREST IN INDUSTRY

Evening Star, Issue 21285, 14 December 1932, Page 8

INTEREST IN INDUSTRY

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S VISIT INSPECTION OF INVICTA HOUSE The keen interest taken by His Excellency the Governor-General _ and Lady Bledisloe in New Zealand industries was again evinced this morning when the Vice-Regal party inspected the warehouse and factory of Messrs Coull, Somerville, and Wilkie. Their Excellencies were met at the entrance to Invicta House by Mr T. Somerville and escorted to the board room, where they were introduced to the directors. Others present were Mr James Hogg (president of the Manufacturers’ Association) and Mrs Hogg, Mr J. G. Dykes (president of the Chamber of Commerce), the mayor (Mr R. S. Black), the/ deputy-mayor (Cr F. W. Mitchell), and Mr Steed (Department of Industries and Commerce). Welcoming their Excellencies. Mr Somerville gave an assurance of the loyalty and patriotism of the firm and its employees. The firm was H the amalgamation of two pioneer firms. The whole of the capital subscribed was British, and 90 per cent, of the plant and raw material used were British. Notwithstanding the competition from foreign sources the company was still British. The visit recalled the tour of the Duke and Duchess of York many years ago. On that occasion the firm had printed an invitation, _ which was much appreciated, later being adopted for the visit to Australia. The invitation interested His Excellency, who remarked that, for the period, it was remarkably artistic. His Excellency thanked Mr Somerville for his expressions of loyalty. Nothing appealed to His Majesty more than the use of British capital, plant, and materials in industry, and in conveying the loyal expressions he would make special mention of the interesting statistics presented by Mr Somerville. The Chairman of Directors also mentioned that the Samuel Marsden Journal, recently published by Invicta House, was wholly British, His Excellency said that His Majesty had accepted a copy of the journal and he was immensely pleased with the production. His Majesty had expressed himself as being very glad that the Journal was recommended for his acceptance. Lord Bledisloe’s aide de camp. Captain Tweedie, was very interested in a' ‘ photogravure of the Argyll and Sutherland Band, which*' played at the Exhibition, as he was attached to the regiment. of which his father was in command. The condition of trade and industry was briefly discussed with those present by His Excellency, who remarked that Christmas trade appeared to be maintained throughout the dominion. _ ■ Their Excellencies were conducted through the works by Messrs J. C. H. Somerville and T. C. Coull. Mr Hogg, in extending to the Go-vernor-General his appreciation of their Excellencies’ visit to the factory and their deep interest in industrial matters generally, made reference to the fact that the manufacturers strongly endorsed His Excellency’s remarks made at the Rotary luncheon yesterday regarding co-ordination between all branches of industry, and particularly between the primary and manufacturing interests. .ALL services,and alFproduction activities should work hand in hand, interdependent ■ and complimentary to eacli other. He also spoke of rationalisation in industry, and referred to the factory visited as a typical example of what rationalisation meant in respect to up-to-date methods and complete organisation in manufacture. _ , T -i This afternoon Lord and Lady Bledisloe attended the prize-giving ceremony of the Otago Girls High School, and to-night His Excellency will present the prizes at the BoysHigh School break-up. They depart for the north by the second express tomorrow.