BENZINE AND OIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20986, 24 September 1931, Page 16

BENZINE AND OIL.

ACTIVITIES IN MARKETING.

LOCAL LABOUR EMPLOYED.

MANY INTERESTING PROCESSES.

Motorists have frequently remarked when they have been asked to buy more Now Zealand-made goods that the Dominion is not an oil-producing country and that as far as they could see they could do nothing to further local indus- ' try in their purchases. The fact that the raw material for the production of spirit and oil is not available in New Zealand lias led many car owners to believe that they need exercise no discrimination in the selection of their purchases for the car. The production of motor spirit and oils requires numerous processes, and several leading companies, among which the SJiell Company of New Zealand is in the forefront, carry out as many operations as possible in the Dominion. Although it would not be profitable to erect a refinery in New Zealand to supply the comparatively small local market, all packing is done in Auckland and Wellington. The factories adjoining the bulk depots employ blacksmiths, tinsmiths, coppersmiths, mechanics, painters .and fitters, all of whom are Zealanders, and the capital invested in plant and machinery represents a large sum. For the selling of oil, and also benzine, in some parts of New Zealand ipecial tins are made, these being stamped 'out by a machine which cuts • the sides and bends them into shape, locking them with the ends, which have been stamped separately, before they are soldered. The soldering also is done automatically, the tins being passed through molten solder, and the container is then complete. Work for New Zealanders. When the tins are finished they are conveyed by machinery under a series of hoppers, which fill them 12 at a time with a coiTect measure of benzine, the operation being performed with the greatest'accuracy. After they have been filled and sealed, the tins are ready for packing in the familiar cases. These are manufactured from New Zealand timber, which is cut and milled by New Zealand workmen and transported by local labour to the oil companies' yards after it has been cut in the mills to size. The sides and ends are stacked in the yards ready for use. They are then printed with the label or brand by machinery. After labelling the parts are ready for assembly, the case being put together by a novel machine, which drives eight nails at a time. The tarious grades of motor oil reach New Zealand in drums, and before they aro marketed are distilled and blended. On arrival they are decanted into troughs and then pumped into storage tanks. The oil in drums is likely to contain traces of moisture, and this is driven off in the form of steam. Other Advantages to Dominion. The elimination of moisture is most important to preserve the lubricating properties of the oil, which is subject to climatic conditions and requires treatment to make it most suitable for the country in which it is to be used. After blending, a sample is drawn off and carefully tested by chemists to ensure the purity of the oil before it is packed in tins. A high standard of quality is set, and unless the product can pass a rigorous examination it is not marketed. The tins are then filled, the process being controlled by a measuring apparatus. An additional process is the manufacture of grease for lubricating different parts of motor vehicles. In other respects the oil industry is ' of value to New Zealand, as the motorlorries used in distribution are of British manufacture with bodies and tanks made specially in New Zealand. The underground tanks used in service stations are manufactured locally, and the pumps are assembled, set up and painted by New Zealand workmen. The railway tank cars also are of local construction, as are many other items of equipment. Whatever cannot be made in New Zealand is purchased in England or other /British countries and then assembled in the Dominion. BURDENS ON INDUSTRY. ADDRESS BY MANUFACTURER. "While I believe it is the general desire of all manufacturers to support any Government that faces its duty to the country and meets the need of the day, we have to be on our guard and see that industry is not crippled or overburdened in the process," said Mr. James Hogg at the annual meeting of the Otago Manufacturers' Association this week. "We have had the loading of increased exchange, increased income tax and the latest increase in the primage, and owing to the keen competition these charges cannot, in most cases, be passed on by the manufacturer," he continued. The executive, through its delegates at the annual conference of the federation in Wellington last month, had pressed for a wider adjustment of the primage increase of 3 per cent., and suggested that raw materials for essential industries he admitted free, or that tile primage should be spread over all imports at such a rate as would bring in the same amount of revenue to,the Treasury. Representations to this effect had been made to the Government and a sympathetic consideration had been promised.

REHABILITATING TRADE. ENGLISH RECOMMENDATIONS. For some time past the Federation of British Industries has been .studying closely the reforms -which are needed to rehabilitate British industry. In a state ir.ent •' entitled. "Industry and the Nation," the federation indicates that, although the present depression is an international phenomenon it must he conceded by all impartial observers of postwar economic conditions that Great. Britain is failing to take her proper share of the world's trade. If when the improvement in trading conditions returns she is to participate fully in the upward movement, no time must be lost now in taking the appropriate preparatory measures.

Thetwo measures 6trongly recommended are also applicable to New Zealand conditions, namely, the establishment of a fiscal system which will adequately protect industrial interests and, at the same time, make possible the extension of inter-Empire and the reduction in Uie burden of taxation and other charges that have to be borao by industry*