New Industries

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 19, 9 October 1946, Page 7

New Industries

SHOULD THEY HE ENFOURA(JED ? POSITION IN HUTT VALLEY The question of whether new industries should he-encouraged in the Hutt Valley was discussed at the last meeting of the executive ol the Hutt, Vally Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The secretary. Mr. L. V. Phillips, said that in view of town planning proposals and the shortage of power and labour the matter of the Chamber’s attitude to new industries was of great importance. Many applications for new industries were being received, while the established industries had many worries, especially in regard to labour. He questioned whether it was wise to try to attract industries which employed female labour. Mr. S. W. Peterson considered it was not a good thing to have overgrown cities. However, many industries must be near a central port. Mr. L. J. Donaldson thought they should encourage the better type of industry. Shortage of Labour The president, Mr. .K. K. Watts, said he did not wish to be discouraging, but under present conditions — shortage of power, labour, etc. —the question was whether they should encourage new industries. He did not think there was any hope of getting back to a pre-war balance of labour. Many firms could not get female or junior labour and so were employing senior male labour. Mr. H. V. Horlor thought that the labour problem Would eventually solve itself. If the Chamber wished to encourage industry in the lliitt Valley—and it should—it-should use its efforts to press for land to be made available. There were 70 acres of reclaimed land and other areas which should be made available for industrial sites. In the Hutt Valley backyard industries were developing. They should have those industries, but not in backyards. Some of the industries would go to Naenae if land was made available there.

Temporary Buildings an Eyesore Mr. E. A. Tomkies considered that they should not discourage new industries, but the facts regarding labour and power shortage should be placed before those who contemplated starting in business. Especially they should not discourage any industry that employed men. Mr. A. Brockelsby: "Not in temporary buildings; we have enough of those eyesores now.” Mr. C. E. Moran suggested that a sub-committee be set up to consider disabilities such as lack of sections for industries and work to have those disabilities removed. The matter was held over until the next meeting of the executive.