SECONDARY INDUSTRIES

Otago Witness, Issue 3804, 8 February 1927, Page 30

SECONDARY INDUSTRIES

A MINISTERIAL INSPECTION. RECENT PROGRESS DEMO?.'STRATED. A closer inspection than the average person is privileged to make of the. processes and developments which constitute the industrial life of a community leads one to entertain very serious doubts as to the wisdom of the authority that suggested the sequence of estates which places the followers of the arts and crafts at the foot of the list. A very superficial survey of only a few of the manufacturing concerns in our midst is sufficient to convince one that a great deal more brain power, initiative, and mental energy is required by executive officers of large industrial businesses than is necessary for success in some of the walks of life that, according to popular fancy, are accountc I as the highest of callings. The captain of industry has hundreds depending on his executive ability, while the average professional man in working his way towards his goal is benefiting few besides himself. In his pursuance of the policy of his predecessors in the portfolio of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. A. D- M'Leod is at present in Dunedin making a tour of inspection oi many of the large manufacturing firms in the city, notably those that have recently launched out on new enterprises or adopted new methods. In this way the Minister hopes to gain first-hand knowledge of secondary industries of the country to enable him the better to understand the legislation that will be, in ‘She best interests of the communiy. The Dunedin tour was commenced on Saturday morning, when the Ministerial party, including Mr M'Leod and his private secretary (Mr A. E. Mulligan), Mr J. W. Collins (secretary of. the Department of Industries and Commerce), Mr James Hogg (chairman of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association), and. Mr Johnson, paid a visit to the premises of Fur Dressers and Dyers (Ltd.), in Calder avenue, North-East Valley. ■ - The visitors were shown through the factory by the manager (Mr L. Lumb), and the various processes' through which skins’ of furry animals from all over the world are put were clearly demonstrated. As a. result of a visit of investigation to America by two of the members of the firm, the latest devices and methods have been adopted, and it is confidently expected that -in the near future, when the first period of experimenting has begat proficiency,* this factory will be one of the most up-to-date and efficient in the Dominion. The next place to be visited was the Invicta House of Mesrs Coulls, Somerville, and Wilkie, where a considerable time was spent by the parte in a careful inspection of the manifold processes and methods which make un the daily routine of this well-known printing house. A great deal of new and up-to-date machinery has recently been installed, and every department'has been brought to a high standard.

One of the most interesting items in the " visit was ' the demonstration by Messrs Somerville Bros, of the various stages which make up tlie publication of a booklet. The article in question was a beautifully coloured and handsomely finished handbook entitled “New Zealand, the Paradise of the Pacific,” which is being printed in thousands to the order of the New Zealand Government Publicity: Department. Some time was spent by the party in the process rooms of the photographic and engraving department, where the minutest detail was demonstrated with the greatest care. Messrs Farra Bros. (Ltd.), sheet metal workers, were ilex'" visited, and the party was shown through a large factory in which an army of workers was twisting and casting and moulding sheet metal into a hundred and one articles of every-day use in household and workshop. The ■ operations of the company appeared to .embrace everything from pint tea billies to Bowser pump containers. The visit was a revela, tion of what can be done by experts with . cheap material and with metal which to the eye of the novice appears .fit for no better fate than the rubbish tip. The last call of the day was made at the boot and shoe factory of Messrs' Sargood, Son, and Ewen, where the manager (Mr Skinner) conducted, the party round the best laid out premises yet visited. The visitors started in one room where the raw material was being treated, and- walked from room to room in perfect ■ sequence until they found themselves in- the large sample room where the finished article was displayed. Throughort the large building no waste space was to be seen, and each department was laid-out in such a manner that physical effort on the part of the employees was reduced to an absolute minimum. If there are many similar concerns in the Dominion- -it would . seem strange that New Zealand should impci c anv of her footwear. Mr M'Leod was greatly interested, in all the factories visited, and the whole party was much impressed by the. various .demonstrations. At-each place the managers provided figures and. statistics to indicate the progress of recent years, and. in some cases glaring anomalies in the tariff regulations were brought to the notice ,of the Minister as a result of the tour., Mr M'Leod' will certainly be able.-to appreciate more' .fully the problems and .difficulties with which the secondary industri.es, of the Dominion are confronted. ■//. ~