MARCH OF INDUSTRY

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12354, 26 January 1926, Page 11

MARCH OF INDUSTRY

EVOLUTION OF THE MOTOR OIL DISTRIBUTED IN BULK MIRAMAR WORKS OPENED The march of industrial progreaa has during the past decade, impressed itself indelibly upon the activities of the Dominion, and here, as well as in other parte of the world, the oil-driven engine has become a greater and greater factor in the ot transport and mechanical locomotion. This evolution ha* effected a great social, as well as industrial change, and besides facilitating the business of the country, has brought the motor car within the reach of the ordinary man, whose demand for petrol is increasing daily. Both the big business firm and tbe user of the small car will benefit by the hulk petrol distribution scheme wh ch lias recently been inaugurated bv the British and Imperial Oil Company, the centre of which is a new works-at Miramar. This was officially opened by the Prime Minister (Hon. J. 6. Coates) yesterday. There was a large and representative gathering of prominent citizens and officials of the company, including the Mayor (Mr C. J. B. Norwood), and members of the City Council. Under the direction of Mr A. E. Middleton, superintendent in charge, the guests were conducted ever the works, and shown the elaborate manner in which tbe petrol, after being received in huge quantities in ships brought by the company from overseas, is treated in its various forms, and tinned preparatory to being sent away for retail trade. A NEW INDUSTRY

The establishment of the works in reality creates a new industry, for tlie British Imperial Oil Company is the pioneer of the Bulk distribution movement in New Zealand, and it is anticipated that before long every town in the Dominion will he receiving the motor spirit by this method through the agency of depots established at other places. The elimination of the heavy cost of transport with the tinned petrol will be responsible for a substantial reduction in the cost of this'product-, and just what it will mean to the Dominion was emphasised by the Prime Minister when spotting at the opening- . The works are the last word m industrial efficiency, and present a very fine light, with several large tanks in the background for tbe storage of petrol, and on the other side of the 25-ncre section, the huge line of buildings marking the factory where the various units in the great machine are operating. The factory where the tins are made —in spite of the bulk distribution, 00,000 cases of petrol are sent out per month —has bean in operation for only ten days, and the staff has been on the job for exactly that jieriod. How they minage the various intricate appliances was left to the observation of -the' visitor. OUT-OF-DATE SYSTEM The system of tinning and casing has. up to the present admirably served their purpose, but have unfortunately involved a loss both in actual money and in handling. The delivery system involved i n_ their distribution has been somewhat cumbersoiro, and leakage and storage under their regime nave presented difficulties. The installation at. Miramar provides the means of bringing petrol into the country and storing it in bulk. The economy effected bv the company will be shared immediately by the buying public, and the immediate effect when bulk delivery is in force will be a considerable reduction per unit of gallons below case price on all bulk deliveries. The effect of this will mean that the private motorist will immediately benefit. EXTENDING THE SYSTEM The buyer who purchases spirit for business purposes and as an element in the production of his own income will therefore he afforded greater facilities. In the Wellington delivery area this hulk spirit will be distributed bv road wagons of varying capacities of from 600 to 1200 gallons each. Beyond that area motor spirit will be conveyed in rail tank cars to inland points where subsidiary depots are being established, and from there in turn the road tank wagon will again deliver in the immediate vicinity. This installation js the Kiier installation in the Dominion in time and in importance. Smaller installations will be established at Auckland, Napier, New Plymouth. Wanganui, Dunedin, Lyttelton, Bluff, Timaru, and Oamaru. These represent the receiving points, and from theta there will be served the accessory inland depots with an efficient connecting system of rail cars. Such latter points are Palmerston North, Masterton. Gore. Hawera, etc. Completed, the system will ultimately approximate 10 receiving ports with probably 40 inland points dependent on them. The delivery areas from these paints will gradually absorb an extensive area, although there will still remain far some considerable, time inaccessible points which tins and cases will still serve. Prior to calling upon the Prime Minister, the Hon. J. G. Coates, to open the works. Mr W. Preedy, manager for Gollin and Co., addressed a few remarks to the gathering, and voiced his appreciation of the assistance given his company by Government officials, the Wellington Harbour Board and the City Council. Telegrams of felicitations had been received from several harbour boards throughout the Dominion. The Prime Minister, who was greeted with applause, thanked the officials of the company for his invitation, and said that the people of New Zealand should do everything to infuse confidence into those who were distributing capital throughout all parts of the world, and assure them that a square deal would bo accorded them if they were prepared to meet tbe requirements of the Dominion. The British Imperial Oil Company had given good service; and so had other companies; hut so long as they were prepared to do this at the right price—at the lowest price —their goodwill and enterprise would lie appreciated with all the finer instincts which the people fostered for the Dominion and for the nation, and their desire to assist them as lar as possible. THE CHANGE OVER “How few of us,” Mr Coates went on, “recognise the change that has taken place in our industrial and social life during recent years—the change from coal to oil as a motive power ami this,is having a very marked effect upon our Empire; first, upon the supply of oonl and the machines that use it; and also in respect to the competition with previously existing methods of transportation. In New Zealand we have something like 150,000 motor vehicles of various kinds

which are dependent upon petrol for consumption; and with this changeover from coal to oil has come many problems. . . . Do not think I have a restricted view of the value of the motor vehicle or of the railway iteell: because I tbink that the sooner we get right down to the method of transportation which gives the most economical service to the community the better it will be. (Applause.) “Tbe period of transition is neces sarily always a difficult one, but all have to face the problems and see that these vehicles receive a constant supply of petrol. It is good to know that we will have a supply of petrol in our own land; for if we can store eight or twelve months’ supply up hero, so much the better it will be for the motor system of transportation. “The field, so far as the Government is concerned, is pexfectly open, and if these people are progressive and are prepared to give us petrol at the cheapest price then let them come along. I hope that the company will use New Zealand goods, and will experiment with our own timbers, for we have plenty in this oouutry. “I understand that the fleet of veasels belonging to the Shell group, plying to all parts of the world and taking to them in bulk motor spirit, kerosene, and fuel oil, numbers nearly 200, with a tonnage of approximately 1,000,000. This aspect in itself gives an assurance of, reliability and of continuation of supplies. “In this installation alone arrangemenu gre being made to stare 5,000,000 gallons of motor spirit at one time, together with 4000 tons of kerosene, and 8000 tons of liquid fuel. The storage available at the installations being established at other ports and inland points will mean that the British Imperial Oil Company will hold in their awn storage sufficient motor spirit to supply the Dominion’s demands for many months, thus being itself able — without outside help—to bridge over any emergency or any supply interruption that would endanger the motor interests of New Zealand.

“Here alone is a tin factory capable of making 1000 tins an hour with tinplate storage for 2,000,000 tins, and with casewood storage for 1,000,000 cases. Apart, therefore, from the actual supplies of motor spirit there is a guarantee for the necessary packages. “The establishment of the installations will imply that tins and cases will be in every sense of the word ‘made in New Zealand’ and the organisation both in distribution and manufacture will mean the _ employ • ment of a large number of New Zealandi workmen. In the United Kingdom alc-ne there are over 2,000 railway tank wagons, in continual use over British railways, with well paid employment to an organisation of over 100,000 people in the British Isles. In Australia, where bulk has already been established, there is direct employment to a staff of 2000, so that the hopes expressed in the direction of New Zealand employment are conservative and well within the possibilities of the industry here. WHAT THE SYSTEM MEANS “The important feature of bunkering facilities concerns not .only the commercial development of a country, but also its urgent requirements in times of national necessity. The whole •system implies efficiency, economy, safety, with the employed media of British ships, British capital and British labour.” The Prime Minister complimented the management ipon its organisation and enterprise, and said the company officials liad expiessed pleasure at the adaptability of the men working in the factory. “While yoi have spent your capital of something like £IOO,OOO here,” he continued, “I am sure that you have done something that will be of immense value to our country, and also which I trust is of value to yourselves. I wish to again assure you that the field here is fair and open, and those who show us progress can give us service.” (Applause.) At the call of the Prime Minister cheers were given for the company. GUESTS ENTERTAINED ■ The large number of gue6ts was later entertained at dinner, at which they were treated in a princely manner. the loyal toast being honoured at the outset. Mr T. Nicholson, general manager of the British Imperial Oil Company, for New Zealand, in a brief address recalled the historical coincidence that 25 years agj oil distribution in hulk had been commenced in the United Kingdom, and the first consignment had been brought to England by the oil tanker Murex. The first consignment of bulk oil to he brought to the Dominion for the company was brought to Miramar a few days hitherto 'a a tanker of the same name. Mr Nicholson paid a grateful tribute to the assistance which the company had received from the Wellington Harbour Board, the Union S.S. Co., and the City Council, which had made the conditions exceptionally agreeable. Mr Oscar Darsch, deputy general manager for Australasia, read the following telegram received from Mr E. E. Wagstaff, general manager:— “The British have ever been pioneers and it is interesting to-day to see the British Imperial Oil Company in opening the first bulk petroleum spirit installation in the Dominion is maintaining the traditions of our race. Much regret I cannot be present on this historical occasion, but ask you convey to Prime Minister, the Honourable J. G. Coates, P.C., and all present my confidence in material advantages that must inevitably accrue to people of New Zealand from this initial step in providing and cheapening bulk motor spirit and other liquid fuels. To the Government and all public authorities and to one and all members of company’s staff contributing to successful opening til's bulk installation I tender my heartiest thanks.” "ANOTHER TO-MORROW” The Prime Minister expressed his delight at being present at the function. and, '©cognising the significance of the occasion, added naively: “I would just as readily attend a similar installation to-morrow.” (Applause.) The Mayor of the city (Mr C. J. B. Noiwood) added his felicitations to the company’s achievement, and reiterated the wish that their faith in the progress of New Zealand would be justified. The use of New Zealand manufactures would mean much to the Dominion, while the employment of large numbers of men would prove a benefit to Ihe city. The party was conveyed to town in ears after individual visits to specific parts of the works.