LESS TIME LAG

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26848, 12 August 1948, Page 4

LESS TIME LAG

WATCH AND CLOCK REPAIRS POSITION IN DUNEDIN The exasperating time lag that was experienced during the war years in having a watch or clock repaired—often extending over three months or more—has now been reduced to about a month in Dunedin. This cheering information was given to the Daily Times yesterday by a leading watchmaker.

There was an incessant demand for the services during the war of those with a skilled knowledge of clock and watch repairing, ana, with their mechanical staffs often reduced by 100 per cent., watchmakers-were compelled to restrict their activities considerably, and some classes of repairs could not be undertaken at all. Unpayable Repair Jobs “ One of the difficulties in the trade to-day,” our informant said, “is the fact that some repairing jobs are'not worth doing, but have to be undertaken because of our wish to provide a reasonable service to the public. For instance, I have men employed for two days of the week ; on clocks, and this is not a payable proposition. Some of the clocks brought in, particularly alarm clocks, cost more to repair than they are worth. Our profits have to be cut down to the minimum in other repair work, too, because it is easy enough to encounter trouble with the Price Tribunal.” The watchmaker estimated that about 98 per cent, of the watches being sold here were imported from Switzerland. At one time a number of well-known American watches, were readily available, but the dollar 'position had resulted in their almost total exclusion from the New Zealand market. At one time English watches had a monopoly of the market, but they were gradually ousted by the Swiss. It was expected, however, that increasingly large supplies from England would be available in the near future, but whether the English watch could compete successfully with the Swiss article would depend on the enterprise of the manufacturer at Home.

“There are fashions in watches, as in clothing,” our informant explained. “ The demand to-day is for the smallest wrist watches. These are no bigger than a threepenny piece. The Swiss are turning out an exquisite article, and it will be interesting to see what the English can do. Some of the most famous pocket watches of all time were manufactured in England, but many of these would be considered to be outmoded to-day because of their size ” Registration Issue The New Zealand Horological Institute will hold its annual conference in'Dunedin on August 28, and it is expected that leading watchmakers from all over the Dominion will be present. One of the subjects which is again expected to have a prominent place on the order paper is the question of the registration of qualified men in the trade. “We have blacksmiths, labourers and all kinds of othef people calling themselves watchmakers to-day,” the watchmaker said. “They had a rich harvest when work had to be turned away. We do not want to interfere with those who have made good in the business, but the public has a right to be protected against incompetent and shoddy work. There is at present a Bill before the Legislative Council, which has been introduced by a watchmaker. Mr J. Robertson, and we are hopeful that this will receive the support of both Houses.”

“ More sufferers from cancer are seeking diagnosis before the disease is advanced,” stated the report of the chairman of the Christchurch Hospital Consultation Clinic (Dr W. M. Cotter) to the annual meeting of the Canterbury division of the Cancer Campaign Society. “ There are still many, however, who do not realise that most forms of cancer are curable in the early stages. The value of the work of the clinic cannot be overestimated. Late cases are still regrettably, common.”