Electric Ranges

Hutt News, Volume 13, Issue 22, 8 November 1939, Page 5

Electric Ranges

COMPLAINT OP IMPORT RESTRICTION DIFFICULTY OF SUPPLY

Statements that, though the demand for electric ranges far exceeded the locally made suppy, Imports were totally restricted, whereas there was only a 50 per cent, restriction on imports of gas ranges, were made at a meeting of the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board on Thursday last. The New Zealand Power Board Supply Authority in a letter said that 50 per cent, of previous imports of gas ranges were allowed into the country, whereas electric ranges were banned. The engineer and general manager of the board, Mr. E. F. Hollands, said that the board co'i'rL get electric ranges only in very small numbers, and could not cope with the demand. Mr. R. W. Bothamley: Is it not a fact that New Zealand ranges have increased in price £2 each? Mr. Hollands: Yes. Mr. Bothamley: Can we get adequate supplies? Mr. Hollands: We cannot. Mr. P. Dowse: You say you are having difficulty in getting New Zealand ranges'? Mr. Hollands: Certainly. Mr. S. Blackley said that the ex-

ecutive committee of the Power Boards' Association had gone into the matter thoroughly, and had found that the possibility of supply by the whole of the range-makers of New Zealand was 50 per cent, of the demand. It was a very curious thing that the Government in some instances was not prepared to electric ranges to be imported even when sterling funds were not being affected. As a power board they should enter an emphatic protest. "If I wanted to buy an electric range now, could I not get it?" asked Mr. Dowse. Mr. Blackley: You might have to wait six months for it. Mr. R. G. Stephen, who is an electrical contractor, said that last month he had installed seven electric ranges in private houses. Five more were going into houses witnin the month. He had never had trouble as regards supply of ranges, though was strictly a "back yard" contractor. He assured the board that he had no "pull," and that the treatment he received must be open to anyone. One range put in last month was a special order, on account of the colour required, and that was supplied within a fortnight. Mr. Dowse: Now, Mr. BlacKley, you have something to answer there. "I will answer it, too," said Mr. Blackley. He knew of one case where a power board asked for a hundred ranges in the past three weeks, and got seven. He knew of others where boards were prepared to wait three months for delivery, and were still unable to place orders. Mr. Stephen citeu a local factory which was producing a hundred ranges a week. He undertook to get delivery of fifty ranges in a very short time. This company had invited members of the board to inspect his factory, and he had done so. "There seems to be a lot of misconception on this point," said Mr. P. Dowse. "The general manager was given a hmt that we cannot get ranges. Mr. Stephen is in the trade, and says he has no difficulty. Ln reply to a question by Mr. Blackley, Mr. Stephen said that he installed about sixty ranges last year. Mr. J. W. Andrews pointed out that if Mr. Stephen could fulfil all his demands, others cofild do likewise. His statement concerning me specially enamelled range delivered within a fortnight was very enlightening. In reply to a question, Mr. Hollands said that the board had installed 580 ranges last year. It was a different matter to obtaining a few ranges when one tried to meet a demand of this size.

( On the suggestion of the chairman, Mr. G. London, an employee of- the board telephoned the factory mentioned to ascertain how soon 25 ranges could be supplied.

"Here is the news," said Mr. London, when the employee returned with the information.

Members were then advised mat the factory could commence delivery in 10 weeks, and supply at the rate of four a week.

"That is the end of the news,' said Mr. London.

Mr. Stephen explained that what he had said concerning the supply was quite in order.

Mr. R. W. Bothamley: You nave a pull somewhere that you know nothing about.

Mr. Blackley said that in the meantime overseas ranges should be imported to meet the demand. The Dominion output was not more than 5000 ranges per annum, while the demand was bound to be over 10,000, last year's demand, was in the neighbourhood of 15,000. "PROCEEDING WELL." LOCAL PRODUCTION OF RANGES. Commenting on tJjje Hutt Valley Power Board's discussion, Mr. W. H. Stevens, president of the Wellington Manufacturers' Association, said that the position had not been properly indicated. "The manufacture of ranges in New Zealand is proceeding 1 well, and

the market is being supplied with first-class articles at competitive prices," he said. "The Hutt Valley I'ower Board has not been very sympathetic and helpful in the matter of purchasing goods which are made in our own country. Several members of the that board apparently favour the purchase and use of electric ranges imported from other countries, and the factory mentioned in the discussion has never previously been asked to supply the requirements of the board. "It should be remembered that if an imported article is required under ordinary circumstances, it would take four to five months lor it to be landed in New Zealand, while the Power Board apparently expects to be able to ring up a factory and secure delivery of all 'ts requirements on the spot. "The New Zealand manufacturers can, and will, properly look after the requirements of electric ranges, and are quite prepared to extend their already considerable manufacturing facilities from time to time in order to meet the demand. For instance, a Wellington factory has almost completed the building of very extensive additions, and provided the firm is able to secure overseas credits for the purchase of necessary materials, the operations of that factory can be so extended that it will more than cater for any increased demand.

"The members of the Hutt Valley Power Board should remember that their customers are people who earn their living in New Zealand, and they should be alive to the fact that local manufacturing should be encouraged to the utmost extent, in order not only to conserve overseas credits, but to provide employment for that great army" of industrialists which now relies on our manufacturing industries for its livelihood."