EXPANSION OF INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23796, 1 May 1939, Page 10

EXPANSION OF INDUSTRY

MANUFACTURING IN CANTERBURY HEALTHY RATE OF PROGRESS INCREASE IN INVESTMENTS (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Apl. 30. Figures showing a considerable expansion in industrial activity in Canterbury in recent years were quoted by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr D. G. Sullivan) in an interview. These figures, which were prepared by the Government Statistician, show large increases in the number of persons employed in manufacturing firms, a rise of more than 40 per cent, in two years in the wages bill, and marked increase in production and added value. Manufacturing in the province was proceeding at a healthy pace, Mr Sullivan said. There had been alarmist reports that the Government’s policy was stifling the expansion of industry and discouraging the investment of funds in private concerns. Canterbury investors had not, apparently, been entirely discouraged, since betweeen 1935-36 and 1937-38 the amount invested in land, buildings, plant, and machin-ex-y in manufactui’ing establishments rose by £328,722, or neaxdy 10 ner cent. If allowance were made for the sums written off as depreciation, it was evident that more new funds than wex-e shown in the statistics had been put into industry. “ While Canterbury industrialists have not as great numbers of population in their immediate districts to serve as have centres in the North Island, it is nevertheless gratifying that manufacturing in the province is progressing at a healthy pace,” the Minister said. “ There is an abundance of evidence that this pi-ogress has been greatly stimulated during the past few months, and prospects for the future are exceptionally bright.”