Grant Three Licences For Manufacture Of Tyres In New Zealand

Northern Advocate, 24 August 1945, Page 2

Grant Three Licences For Manufacture Of Tyres In New Zealand

(Special.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Three concerns, two in the North Island and one in the South Island, have been granted licences by the Eureau of Industry to manufacture motor tyres in the Dominion. An official Gazette notice containing this announcement is expected next week. Production of the motor tyres will commence as soon as the necessary raw materials and machinery are available. The Firestone Tyre and Rubber Company of New Zealand, Ltd., will manufacture motor Lyres at Christchurch. A licence is also granted to Reid New Zealand Rubber Mills. Ltd., Penrose, Auckland, with whom are associated E. W. Pidgeon and Co., Ltd., and the Goodrich Tyre Co., Ltd. The third successful applicant is the Dunlop Rubber Co. (N.Z.), Ltd., which will manufacture tyres at Wellington in association with the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. of New Zealand, Ltd. London representatives of the Dunlop Rubber Co. so time ago selected a site at Wallaceville, Upper Hutt, for the erection of a factory which would employ between 400 and 500 hands. In June the Upper Hutt Borough Council approved the establishment of a factory on a 41-acre site, and it was then stated that, subject to the permission of the Railway Department, a railway siding would be built from the main railway line to the factory. Evidence Heard. Applications for the manufacture of motor tyres in New Zealand were heard by the Bureau of Industry last month, and firms from the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand were represented. The hearing was not open to the public. Evidence was given by several applicants, as well as by various trades unions and the Bureau of Importers. During a debate in the House of Representatives last month, the Minister of Supply (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) said that it was quite possible that the country could support three licences. It might also be possible to get some applicants to combine, and if this were done two licences would represent. a greater number of firms. No indication could be gained last night as to the manufacturing capacity of the three companies, but it is possible that there will still be a need for imports to supplement the bare tyre market in New Zealand. Discussing this possibility in the House last month. Mr Sullivan said that representations for licences to import tyres would bo considered on their individual merits in the light of the stock position, the price factor and the manufacturing potential of the Dominion. He added that it was not possible at present to give a guarantee regarding the future position. The suggestion current in Auckland that the supplies of tyres to be made in New Zealand would be zoned within certain areas appears to lack any foundation in fact.