N.Z. INDUSTRIES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 January 1925, Page 6

N.Z. INDUSTRIES.

SCHOOL-CHILDREN’S ESSAYS. (By Joyce Taylor.) \\'e print below the winning essays in the competition arranged by the Department of Industries and Commerce in connection with it,s exhibit at the last Hawera Winter Show. Both are the work of pupils from the Hawera convent: GIRLS’ WINNER New Zealand has indeed well earned the title of “God’s Own Country. How is this, you may ask, or how can such small islands far away from othei large countries be able to hold such a glorious name ? The reason is because God has favoured New Zealand m every way by giving it a good climate, good harbours both natural and artificial, beautiful forests and scenery, and good fertile land to suit both the pastoral and agricultural industries. Roughly the population of New Zealand is one and a . third millions, and of these, one hundred and thirty-eight thousand in commerce and professions, seventy-four thousand in manufacturing, and one hundred and twenty thousand in commerce and profession. The total number of factories in New Zealand is four thousand three hundred and thirty-five, and the number of people employed is about seventy three thousand six hundred and sixtytwo, to whom is paid out daily £45,000. The only way to help to pay those employed is to insist on having our own goods so as to keep the money in the country. The Primary Industries of New Zealand are the pastoral and agricultural industries, while the Secondary Industries are numerous, for almost anything can bo made in these small islands. The New Zealand chamois leather can safely be said to be the best in the world, for the climate affects, the sheep’s skin in some way and makes it of good quality. Another New Zealand article which is the best in the world is gelatine; but although this, as yet, is not a big industry, it is gradually making its way to the front rank. Other articles madein New Zealand are brushes, soap, rope, twine, pulleys, bricks, bags, sweets, gloves, taps, fishing tackle, croquet sets, jewellery, matches, heels, boots, rugs, coats, blankets and carpets. Some of the local factories are the brush factory, sash and door factory, timber mills, bacon factory, and the cordial factory; also the brewery. A good motto is this: “New Zealand New Zealanders is this'“New Zealand made means New Zealand paid.” If this is kept in mind by everyone why should the welfare of our country be a cause for anxiety? Honey has to,,be got to pay for the goods imported to New Zealand,' but this need not be, for if every individual insists on having goods made here much money will remain in the country. For example, wood is sent from New Zealand to Australia to he made into heels which, when shaped, are transported back here and cost one and six, while the Australians get them much cheaper. In the North Island these heels are made,- and although the industry is not very large it is growing steadily. Other reasons why New Zealanders should encourage local industries are: 1. Every article made and bought in New Zealand keeps someone employed. 2. The quality is just_ as good as imported goods, if not better. 3. The prices are just as reasonable. 4. All cannot be farmers and these factories give positions to the unemployed and to the rising generation 5. Every year the population increases and the foodstuffs exported can he consumed bv our own people. One thing more is that if New Zealand goods are not obtainable ask for goods made in Britain. In , the coming. ten or twenty years the population will increase and with it these industries will progress more, and more; and New Zealand will become more important and much more self-supporting and independant. BOYS’ WINNER. (By John Kent.) Of New Zealand’s total population of about one and a third millions sonu\ noe hundred and thirty-eight thousand of people are engaged in agricultural pursuits. Of the remainder one hundred and twenty thousand are employed in commerical positions, and the other seventy-four thousand depend on the manufacturing industries for their living.

Almost everything that it is possible tot make is made here by New Zealand labour. Amongst these we find fvoollen and feather goods, boot and floor polish, brushware, furniture, biscuits and confectionery, cocoa, l'ope and cordage, candles, sports goods, boots and shoes, carpets, matches, tobacco, baskets, gelatine ironmongery, chamois leather, and cement.

New Zealand exports a largo amount of run' materials to other countries, where they are manufactured into the finished article, which are in turn imported for use in New Zealand, but as the population increases far more manufacturing will go on here, while there will be a marked decrease in the export of raw materials. There are a t present tour thousand three hundred and thirty-five factories in the Dominion giving employment to seventythree thousand six hundred odd persons. For this staff fourteen millions sterling are paid annually in wages, while the value of the goods produced is seventy-four millions. This shows the “made in New Zealand” spirit is spreading, it is the. greatest form of patriotism to buy our own country's goods, for in so doing we are paying the wages of the makers and the money stays in New Zealand. At present manufacturing is going cnl in Hawera: on the-list wo find blitter, cheese, furniture, brushware, bacon, cordials, and confectionery. Very great skill and delicate workmanship are shown by the furniture manufacturers in Hawera. The Inwon cured at the local factory is very prime. At present rivers all over the Dominion are being harnessed to produce hydro-electric power, and the smoky chimneys of the coal driven engines are fast disappearing. The increase in the manufacturing" industry is shown by the horse power each person has to help him with his work. In nineteen hundred and one each person had an average of two horse-power, while at present he has four horse-power, but there is more .than double the work done. May we encourage the truth that “New Zealand made means New Zealand paid.”