PROGRESSIVE MOVE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 16 June 1930, Page 4

PROGRESSIVE MOVE

EXTENSIONS AT THE "K" FACTORY

DOVETAILING OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY

Substantial structural alterations and improvements to the "K" Factory (S. Kirkpatrick and. Co., Ltd.) are to be commenced immediately, the expenditure running into several thousand pounds. In addition to additions and alterations to buildings, a large quantity of additional machinery is to be installed to provide for the establishment of a large up-to-date fruit canning department. Additional canning plant of the latest type is. to be erected, comprising three complete canning lines each capable of handling 60 tins of canned fruit per minute. -' ' The improvements and extensions of buildings and plant have been rendered necessary by the outstanding success of the firm's orchard, over 200 acres, established in Motueka just four years ago. Last year the first crop of yellow cling stone canning peaches was harvested—about 60 tons. It was a magnificent sample of fruit of choicest canning variety and the finished product compared more than favourably with any imported canned peaches. Next year the orchard will commence to crop in earnest, and several hundred tons of canning peaches will be produced. This progressive expansion of orchard development and manufacturing is of importance to the district. The secondary industry of fruit canning dovetailed as it it with the primary industry of fruit growing is worthy of encouragement. Recognising that it is in the interests of the country to encourage primary production and keep secondary industries in a flourishing condition, the Government lias adopted the policy of assisting secondary industries as one of its platform planks. The inspiring messages of practical patriotism on this subject from, his, Excellency the Governor-General, also from Sir Charles Fergusson,_ the late Governor-General, and from Sir Joseph Ward should stimulate the public interest in New Zealand made goods. It is contended that tariff protection is necessary so that the fruit canning industry may be built up to supply New_Zea-| land's requirements of canned fruits^ New Zealand has been drawing all its canned peaches from Australia and America, and the New Zealand manufacturer claims protection by way of duty to enable him to compete against America with its huge mass production, and large home trade in a. highly protected market, conditions that enable it to sell its surplus canned fruits at low prices overseas. Australia has a State, subsidised and bounty fed industry and highly protected home market. It is generally admitted that the most pressing of New Zealand's problems to day are the depression of trade and increasing unemployment. One remedy for this state of affairs is to stimulate greater activity in the secondary industries, and this activity can only be obtained by many goods which are now imported being made in the Dominion, i