MOVING TO COUNTRY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21979, 25 March 1946, Page 4

MOVING TO COUNTRY

INDUSTRY IN CAPITAL SHORTAGE OF LABOUR Inability to secure labour in Wellington on account of lack of housing accommodation is the main reason for decentralisation of industries which employ women and girls, according to Mr. G. S. Amos, a prominent figure in the soft goods business in Wellington. Mr. Amos stated that Comparatively recently, clothing factories were established at Plimmerton, Otaki, Levin, Greytown, Masterton. Pahiatua, Hastings, Hawera; a big business was opened in Waipukurnu a few weeks ago; another large factory was in the process of construction in New Plymouth, and no fewer than nine were in operation in Wanganui. Large hosiery mills were about to be erected in Palmerston North, where the finTi concerned was already operating a small factory with 30 girls, training them for key positions for a much larger establishment. Mr. Amos concluded; “If the girls can’t come to the factories, the factories are sent to the girls." Otaki is a typical example of a country town just feeling the first impact of decentralisation. Up to the present it lias been known, productively, for its market gardening. Us first step in industry was the establishment of the chief depot for the Wellington municipal milk supply. Twelve months n#o n Wellington firm opened a clothing factory, which has a sf.-*' of 32. It recently acquired an additional one and ihreequarter acres for a factory which will accommodate 30 girls and provides space for tennis and basketball. Inquiries for factory sites are reported to have been made by a South Island, biscuit company, and by a large tobacco firm, whose scheme is stated to have included housing accommodation for prospective staff.