NEW INDUSTRIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 14

NEW INDUSTRIES

EARLY ESTABLISHMENT EXPANSION IN OTHER LINES PLANS ALREADY UNDER WAY STATEMENT BY MINISTER Plans for the establishment or largescale expansion of many industries within New Zealand are already under way, according to tho report of a special committee of the Department of Industries and Commerce, presented to a caucus of the Parliamentary, Labour Party by the Minister in charge of the department, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. The report was made after the committee had consulted representatives of more than 70 industries

The report showed that most of those consulted represented industries which could now be considerably expanded. 1 A number of consultations were in respect of industries not previously carried on within the Dominion, stated the report. Negotiations wore already in train for the early commencement or early large-scale expansion of the following principal industries:— Wide Range o! Articles One New Unit—Tobacco and cigarettes, rubberware, rubber shoes, footwear, starch and laundry blue, woollen and fancy socks, nails, toilet soap, electroplated ware, malted milk, sporting requisites, dried fruits (processing), ink, metal smelting. Several New Units—Electric appliances, wax paper containers, many branches of the clothing industry, various toilet and medicinal preparations.

Expansion. —Matches, rubber-ware, radio, electric lamp globes, brushes and brushware, batteries, display figures, malt extract, baths and sinks, aluminium products, paints, many branches of the clothing industry, sills hosiery, chocolates, confectionery and biscuits, fish canning, glassware, assembly of bicycles, insecticides and fungicides, electric and ranges and heaters, ammunition, pottery, brass valves, fittings, and general hardware. Other Possibilities The possibilities of manufacturing chewing gum, stockinette for meat •wraps, and body carpet, and of distilling gin were also being considered. Other industries proposed included wine making and the manufacture of lawnmowers.

Mr. Sullivan said that he was now receiving reports from district officers concerning the expansion of industry in their respective areas. The Auckland report referred' to one company that was making plans for the production of drinking straws, cream and ice-cream cartons. Between 20 and 30 hands would be employed. Another firm would make stampings for radio sets and employ additional hands. One radio firm in Auckland was extending its plant, and aimed at trebling its output, the report added. It produced 8700 sets last year, and this year it would turn out 10,500. Production for next year would probably be 15,000 or 16,000 sets. An extra 40 employees had been engaged, the present staff being 143, and it was hoped ultimately to employ 300. Nails and Malted Milk Another firm intended to erect in Auckland a new factory for making nails, and extension of plant and machinery were being undertaken. The production of malted milk was being put in hand by another concern, which anticipated being able to produce 200 tons a year. Plans were also beinc made for the manufacture of toilet preparations and cosmetics.

A report from Wellington, dated January 6, showed that the following additional products would be manufactured there:—Mustard, blue, liver salts, face creams, lotions, salves, handbags. special enamels and lacquers, silencers for motor vehicles, shoe laces, electro plate and jewellery, and certain metal parts. The production of fancy soaps, bicycles and electric ranges would be expanded. Reports from Christchurch and Dunedin which the Minister quoted showed a considerable increase in local manufacturing. POSITION IN AUCKLAND VA RIED MANUFACTURES Inquiries in Auckland reveal that there are two companies formed for making drinking straws and cream and ice cream cartons. While the firms concerned expect assistance from the import control regulations, decisions to start in business were made before the licensing scheme was announced. The firm which the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, mentioned as intending to erect a new factory for the manufacture of nails will be in competition with an Auckland firm which has also factories in Wellington and Dunedin. and has an association with, the only other nail manufacturing company in the Dominion, which has works in Christchurch. Mr. Sullivan made reference in his report to a firm which he said was undertaking the production of malted milk. The firm has not yet made a definite decision on the question of manufacture. It is awaiting certain information before coming to any decision.

The managing director of a radio firm mentioned as planning a major extension , said that the fulfilment of its programme was contingent on restrictions being imposed on the indiscriminate free entry of machines produced by cheap labour. The import licence scheme would not be of great assistance for some little time, because all sets ordered prior to December 5 were admitted without restrictions, and some of the biggest importers had lodged orders before then for a full year's requirements.

Among new industries started recently in Auckland are a soap works at Penrose and a clothes peg manufacturing firm in the city. NEW ZEALAND CAMPAIGN PLANS OP PRIME MINISTER [by TELEGRAPH —PilKflS ASSOCIATION! WELLINGTON, Thursday Arrangements for his own participation in the campaign in support of New Zealand industries have not yet been completed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, but lie hopes to make a start at an early date.

" I am > shaping my plans with a view to visiting a number of Wellington factories toward the end of next week," said Mr. Savage. "I also want to see something of industries in Auckland and in the South Island, and 1 hope to make these visits as soon as .1 am able to spare a feu days from my official dutiet> in Wellington."