NEW ZEALAND MANUFACTURES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9305, 4 August 1908, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND MANUFACTURES.

- ■ ■ »■ - CHRISTCHURCH AS AN INDUSTRIAL CENTRE. A COMPARISON WITH OTHER CITIES. The annual report of the Department of Labour for the year 1907-08 contains a mass of undigested information regarding the industries of the colony, and a perusal of the publication by one not acquainted with all the facts would lead to the conclusion that as an industrial centre Christchurch. compares rather unfavourably with the other centres of the dominion. It would; be found that in regard to the number of factory employees in, each district having a city as its centre, Auckland leads the way with 18J62; Wellington follows with 17,998; Dunedin has 15,984; and Christchurch is lasb with only 15,247. These figures hardly convey a correct impression, as Auckland district includes tho Hawke s Bay province, Wellington' includes Taranaki, and Otago includes Southland. The boundaries of the district controlled from Christchurch are very nearly those of tho province of Canterbury. In regard to city districts proper, which, it must be remembered, include all small town© <slos© to< the city, Christchurch holds a much better position. Auckland again leads, with 12,353 employees; Christchurch"- comes second with 11,723; Dunedin has 10,541, and Wellington brings up the rear with 0198. It is in regard to specific industries, however, that Christchurch makes the best showing, and in 'such cases the basis of comparison has been the amount of wages paid annually in each city district proper. In the agricultural implement trado Christchurch is > easily first, its wages bill amounting to £48,145, as against Dunedin's £15,50U, Auckland's £1039 and Wellington's £474. In the bootmaking trade Christchurch pays out annually £65,903, Auckland following with £55,9/0, Wellington £80,5-15,. and Dunedin £28,377.. In the dressmaking and millinery lndustrv Cliristclmrch again leads witu £35,633, Wellington paying £35.892, Dunedin £25,603 and. Auckland £17.048. In the meat freezing and preserving industry Christchurch comes second with £45,747, being beaten by Wellington with £65,828, while Dunedin and Auckland bring up the rear ,vith £6345 and £6057 respectively. In the feiimongering trade, one or tne most important adjuncte to the freezing industry, however, Christchurch has an overwhelming lead with £09,505, against Wellingtons £17,600 , Auckland's £5822 and Dunedin.' s £1658, so that, in regard to the general, scope of the freezing industry, Christchurch leads easily. In cycle and motor engineering, an important and growing industryT Christchurch pays more wages than all the other centres put together the figures being : — Chnstchurch £11 750? Wellington £4219, Dunedin Sill and AucSland £2088 In the printing and bookbinding trade. Auckland leads the way., with Christchurch • second the figures being :— Auckland Sfe, Ariftchurch ; £57,150 , Dnnjdin £53,583 and Wellington £41,761. X the confectionery and biscui -trade Dunedin is to the fore with £23,983, frvlimved by Christchurch £16,385, Auckland £13,689 and Wellington £6746. woollen manufacture Dunedin again leads with £39,244 Christclmrch coming second ™% &M,lld. Wellington pays only £14.766, and Auckland has no woollen mills at all. Tn the cabinetmaking and "Roistering trade Christchurch leads with £36,606, Wellington following with £34,365, Auckland £28,943 ' and Dunedfci *>9R 1 fin Flour and oatmeal millers fy'af annual wages bill of £9256 in &l*nd, £6304 in J^T**^ £3622 in Dunedin and £374 in Wellington. '