FACTORY PROPOSAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 270, 14 October 1932, Page 6

FACTORY PROPOSAL

PALMERSTON NORTH SITE. ENGLISH FIRM INTERESTED. “A fortnight or three weeks ago I was approached, by the representative of a well-known English house to see if the City Council could make any concessions to a firm starting a factory in Palmerston North,” stated the Mayor (Mr Mansford) in a letter to the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce last evening. “The factory, if started here, would employ upwards of 200 girls, would be run on the latest model lines and, _ I feel sure, would be a decided acquisition to the city. “I brought the matter before tho City Council, but councillors were of the opinion that there was nothing that the council could do to assist in the matter, and I now place the matter before your chamber with the hope that something can be' done to promote this very valuable industry in our centre. It is an entirely new business. There is nothing similar in the Dominion. The commencement of operations rests largely on the matter of tariffs. However, the firm are alive to the possibilities and if we can hold out a.ny inducements I am confident this firm may choose Palmerston North in preference to one of the other places. The chamber will appreciate the importance of factories to this city if we are to make the same progress in the future as in the past,’’ the letter concluded. THIS CENTRE’S ADVANTAGES. The chairman (Mr A. J. Graham) reported that the matter had already been dealt with by a special committee representing the chamber, and a statement had been drafted in the following terms to be forwarded through the Mayor for the information of the firm concerned: “Palmerston North is perhaps outstanding so far as the whole of New Zealand is concerned as a distributing centre. So far as the North Island is concerned, this is further emphasised by the fact that within 100 miles of this centre there is 25 per cent, of the total population of New Zealand, that quick train services enable distribution to be made overnight to the big cities of Auckland and Wellington and efficient and convenient motor transits assist materially in the distribution to smaller towns. So far as the South Island is concerned distribution can be effected cheaply through the port of Foxton, and it would be possible, as has been done by other business enterprise here, to arrange special freight concessions. “There is an ample supply of adequate sites conveniently situated and cheaply priced. We have priced one half-acre site, with building already erected, within 200 yards of the railway station which could be purchased for £IOOO, and there is vacant land adjoining which could be purchased at a very reasonable figure. “There is an ample supply of cheap electric power in this town, also other facilities at figures that compare more than favourably with other towns, while rates are among the lowest in the Dominion. Further, the oost-of-liv-ing index places Palmerston North fourth lowest on the list for the whole of the Dominion, the towns more favourably situated being small places such as Gore. ' “There is plenty of labour available and labour difficulties are not likely to be encountered as in the larger cities.”

“The establishment of industries in Palmerston North is a very desirable thing and should be encouraged,” stated the chairman. “Unfortunately the City Council is limited in its assistance and cannot give a concession on rates, but I, myself, think that some inducement might be given by cheap electric power rates.” The chairman added that the promotion of industries meant a great deal to the advancement and prosperity of this oentre. The A. and P. Association did not pay rates, but its position was met by special legislation and other considerations. The action of the president in calling a special meeting of representatives of the chamber to discuss the matter was endorsed a.nd the letter drafted in reply to the Mayor setting out this centre’s advantages was confirmed.