INDUSTRIAL SITE RENTALS

Southland Times, Issue 25505, 27 October 1944, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL SITE RENTALS

BUSINESS MEN SEEK * REVISION The Invercargill City Council is to be asked to revise its scale of charges, for the taking up of land on the corporation’s new industrial site adjacent to the railway yards in an endeavour to encourage fresh industries to come to the city. This decision was made at a meeting of the council of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Mr H. L. Mair presided. The charges, including rental, work out about £lOO an acre and some members stated that if it was desired to attract industries to the city that 'would not compete with existing industries, the charges might be lowered. Industries that would compete with firms already established would not be granted any privileges, as that would place them in a very favourable position. One member suggested that if the council waived charges for the first two years of a fresh industry’s existence, it would be a great encouragement. The development of a garden industrial area was advocated. “We do not want our factory areas to be enclosed by tin fences and high concrete walls,” said Mr P. B. Witt. “If the area is laid out properly with open spaces, trees and conveniences, there will not be much difficulty in arranging for female labour.” OTHER AREAS AVAILABLE

Other areas in the city that are available for development as industrial areas were mentioned and one member stated that the city council’s 20 acres would be taken completely if a big firm decided to extend its activities to the south. Areas available in Otatara for lighter industries were mentioned and members expressed the hope that if these areas were developed for building sites there would be far-sighted provision made for a parklands factory area: PLEASANT SURROUNDINGS

Modern plants required modern sites, it was stated, and better work was done where the surroundings were pleasant to the eye. “If Dunedin, with approximately 120,000 listeners, is entitled to three radio stations, then Southland, with about 80,000 listeners, is entitled to two stations,” said a member when advocating a higher status for Station 4YZ. There was no need for two stations in Southland, however, but there was a definite need for a longer period of transmission from the present station. That would only come when 4YZ was raised to the status of an A station. If the reason for closing down at 10 p.m. was the labour shortage, it was suggested that 4YZ should at that hour relay 4YA or 3YA. It was pointed out that many country people operating battery sets could get only 4YZ and therefore their radio entertainment was very limited.

The chamber decided to make an effort to have the status of 4YZ raised.