RABBIT CANNING FACTORY

Southland Times, Issue 24600, 24 November 1941, Page 6

RABBIT CANNING FACTORY

OPENING CEREMONY AT BLUFF The hope that just as Southland was famed for producing the best lamb in New Zealand so it would become equally well known for its canned rabbits was expressed by Mr W. B. Taverner, of Dunedin, who presided at a luncheon held on Saturday in the Club Hotel, Bluff, to mark the opening of the rabbit canning works of S. Ward (N.Z.) Limited. Before the luncheon the works were inspected and the official opening ceremony was held. Mr W. M. C. Denham, M.P., declared the works open and wished the enterprise a bright future. There was a large gathering at the ceremony. Visitors representing many local bodies in Southland and a wide range of business interests were present. Mr Tavernex - congratulated Mr S. Ward and Mr R. Cruickshank on their enterprise and initiative. It was a war effort. Their products were not only required, but were eagerly sought, he said. He emphasized that this industry was an important one as it utilized waste products. He caused amusement by referring to the caption of the label of the cans: “These rabbits are fed on the finest pastures in the world.” And that was true, as Southland was truly the garden of New Zealand. Mr Taverner mentioned the food value of the canned rabbits to Britain and said an added advantage was that canned goods withstood the ravages of gas, whereas fresh foodstuffs would be ruined. Waste material was not used in New Zealand as in other countries. If healthy competition were entered into with other countries it would be a stimulant to be less wasteful. Mr Cruickshank praised the work of Mr Ward, his co-director, and his employees. The idea actually was created by the Government’s veto of the export of frozen rabbits. At that time they had a large quantity in the cool stores and to avoid loss they went ahead and built the works. Mr Cruickshank stated that meat grown in cool climates, was the best for canning. WORK OF GOVERNMENT The toast of Parliament was proposed by Mi - H. S. Strang. He said that in judging a Government of any country it was illogical to be ruled by blind bias. In his opinion, as a result of improved education a higher standard of living was demanded. But everyone must work to attain that. Some people thought that the principals of firms did not work very hard, but he could state that this was not so. In most cases a successful business was the result of the energies of several generations. Some persons in business thought that when Labour got into power it was the end of everything. They had to be fair and give credit where it was due. Many of the measures passed would be of lasting benefit. The Government was fully alive to the need for expansion of secondary industries and after the war these needs would be greater. A grave position would have to be faced—so,ooo or 60,000 men would have to be absorbed.

In replying, Ml' Denham said he was impressed by Mr Strang’s speech. He had a real sense of appreciation of the duties of parliament. He wished to join with other speakers in congratulating the promoters on their initiative and courage, especially in time of war when shipping space was at a premium and the importation of raw materials extremely difficult. Southland had progressed very substantially in the way of primary production, but lagged in manufacturing. Southland could grow the best linen flax and it should be a permanent industry. It was a wrong mental attitude to say some industries were only war measures. Mr Denham criticized a paragraph in The New Zealand Herald, which stated, “The edifice of secondary industries which we have built up overnight because of the war will to a large extent collapse like a house of cards.” He erhphasized the need for primary and secondary industries to grow up side by side, but he did not advocate the bolstering up of an uneconomic or microscopic industry where nearly all the raw materials had to be imported. Through the curtailment of imports sterling funds had been built up enabling the Dominion to pay its share of the overseas cost of war for the first year. FACTORY PRODUCTION In 1935 value of factory production was £79,000,000 and in 1940 £129,000,000. In 1935 employees totalled 79,000 and in 1940 108,000. There were over 1072 more factories in this period. Wages paid had increased from £13,000,000 to £24,000,000. Private enterprise had played a valuable part and it was only when it failed that the State would step in. Mr Denham said that the employees in this concern were on a co-operative basis and this resulted in high wages being received by all the employees. It would also mean additional revenue to transport businesses, garages, watersiders, saw millers and shipping companies. The toast of Professional and Technical Associates was proposed by Mr W. D. Palmer.

Mr Beadle, replied. Work was started on the factory about four months ago and much of the time has been occupied with the conversion of the machinery to canning purposes. Practically all the machinery has had to be adapted and considerable skill and enterprise has been shown by Bluff workmen. For instance, the boiler was taken from a locomotive that previously ran on the Ohai Railway Board’s lines and much work was entailed in adapting it for the factory. The proposal to open a factory originated last December, when the export of frozen rabbits was completely stopped. About April of this year the Ministry of Food in London decided to allow the importation of canned rabbits in place of frozen rabbits and steps were then taken to put the proposal into effect. TOTAL, OUTPUT SOLD The total output of the factory has already been sold to England under a licence from the Ministry of Food. It is hoped that the production will eventually reach about 200 cases a day. The company also has all the plant at its disposal necessary to can meat, but is restricting its output in the meantime to rabbits. The factory will be in operation throughout the year and will be the only full-time rabbit canning factory in New Zealand. Only one shift will be worked for a Until the new season starts in February the rabbits used for canning will

come from the freezer. After the start of the season the rabbits will be taken to the skinning shed on the wharf and skinned. At the height of the season as many as 20 men are employed in this work. The men are experienced skinners and probably average from 300 to 400 rabbits an hour. The skins are then taken to a drying room capable of housing 30,000 skins at a time. During the summer only about 48 hours elapse before the skins are dried. Plans are being made to extend the skinning shed.

After skinning, the rabbits are transported to the factory 'and unloaded on a railway siding running alongside the factory. They are then placed in pickling tubs and after pickling go across to the packing table where they are placed in 21b tins. The cooking process is then begun. This process culminates in the tins being placed in large retorts heated by steam which are capable of holding 480 tins. The tins are then shot into the labelling and packing department at the rear of the factory. The labelling machine was manufactured in Bluff and most of the individual parts had to be adapted. This machine is particularly well designed and does the work of about six girls. The complete process—from the time the rabbits come into the factory until the tins are packed in cases—occupies only 24 hours. Each tin contains approximately one rabbit.

The containers are manufactured on the premises and the boxes for packing will also be assembled there. The tin-making plant is the most intricate of the machinery at the factory. The plant works with mathematical precision and this is one department where skilled labour will be required. The larger part of the labour in the new industry will be performed by girls and at least 15 are expected to be employed. The factory is situated at the rear of E. A. Nichol’s store in the main street opposite the approach to the wharf and was used previously as a grain store. The building is modern and spacious. The interior walls of the main factory are painted green and white with a red border between. The dressing-rooms are also up to date and it is evident that no expense has been spared to ensure that the employees’ comfort is not merely a secondary consideration.