New Industry Starts In Palmerston North

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7300, 30 October 1933, Page 4

New Industry Starts In Palmerston North

OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY. On Saturday afternoon the new packing factory in Fitzherbert avenue, Palmerston North, tho property of Vacuum Products (N.Z.), Ltd., was officially opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Hon. C. E. MacMillan, before a large attendance, including the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Mansford), Messrs. J. A. Nash and J. Linklater, M’s.P., Dr. C. J. Reakes (Director-General of Agriculture), Dr. E. Marsden (secretary of the Department for Scientific and Industrial Research), Mr. W. M. Singleton (director of the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture), and Professors G. S. Peren and W. Riddet (of Massey College). Prior to the official opening ceremony a light luncheon, from the products to bo supplied by the company, was partaken of by all present in the new building. Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., chairman of directors of the New Zealand Farmers’ Dairy Union, extended a welcome to those in attendance and pointed out that the function was a very important one to the dairy industry. He explained that he had first come in contact with the Vacuum System about two years ago' and, realising tho possibilities of exporting butter in pats and delivering it on the market in Britain in the same condition as packed in tht Dominion, had urged his co-directors to adopt the scheme. A commencement had been made by sending a sample shipment of 44 boses and this had proved such a success that just after its arrival another shipment had been orderod. Subsequently, he added, a standing order had been forwarded and 10s per cwt. on each shipment had been averaged. The erection of the factory had involved a good deal of money as far as the New Zealand Farmers’ Dairy . Union, Ltd. was concerned and in this connection the suppliers were assisting. “Our business has increased considerably,’’ ho said. “Last year we had an output of 870 tons, but this year we have an increase of 1600 cows, so that we anticipate a much larger output. Additions are also being made to our factory and this will be used principally for patting and packing.” Mr. Nash concluded by tender: "g apologies on behalf of Mr. Young, chairman of directors of the new company, and by paying a tribute to Mr. T. Reynolds, the managing director. Tho Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford) extended thanks for the invitation to bo present and congratulated the directors on their foresight in erecting such a factory. Palmerston North, he explained, was an ideal distributing centre and required more of such factories. Tho new process would eventually mean thousands of pounds to the farmer and he understood that the company intended to erect a dozen factories in New Zealand. He recalled the first days of the refrigeration system and pointed out that tho vacuum process was probably another such step forward. Other speakers following were Messrs. Choto and Linklater, Dr. Reakes and Mr. Singleton. The Minister for Agriculture expressed his pleasure at the opportunity accorded him to perform the opening ceremony, pointing out that he had been associated with agricultural matters for many years. Quality, he said, was the main thing to strive for and this particularly applied to the new system of vacuum packing. It was possible that day a foundation stone was being laid for a great industry, and he urged the company to strive for the best possible results, pointing out the opportunity for trade with the East. It was with the greatest pleasure, he added, that he declared tho building open.