GROWING IMPORTANCE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3271, 25 February 1937, Page 7

GROWING IMPORTANCE

LITTLE-KNOWN INDUSTRIES & % SOME SURPRISING FACTS The ordinary ‘‘man in the street” would be agreeably surprised if he were privileged to visit and inspect those many little known industrial undertakings that are established in the Dominion’s chief cities and provincial centres. If their diversity and the quality of their output did not amaze him, probably he would be very greatly interested to learn of the splendid work these industries are performing by providing employment for thousands of New Zealand men, women, youths and girls, and at the same time demonstrating beyond doubt that the employers have the enterprise and ability, and that employees the expert craftsmanship, successfully to compete with almost every kind of overseas competition.

How closely each person is concerned in the continued progress of our industries is shown by the fact that approximately 380,000 persons in the Dominion —practically a quarter of the population—depend upon them for their livelihood.

The facts regarding the most important of the manufacturing units are, of course, universally known. To many of them, indeed, the romance and tragedy of pioneering days leaven the comparatively prosaic tale of what is being achieved through the agency of whirring wheels and smoothly-turning crankshafts.

The new enterprises, however, have no historic background, but they are sturdily carrying on the traditions that have earned success for those prosperous firms ol a much earlier age.

Wooden Heels

In an Auckland factory more than 50 people are engaged in the manufacture of wooden heels for ladies’ shoes* The timber is obtained from trees growing in a particular area in Southland, and the milling and carting, of course, necessitates the employment of additional men. ft is beyond question that cooking ranges rank almost at the top of. the needs of civilised people, but probably very few New Zealanders are aware that 240 factory workers in Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin produce 2000 electric cooking stoves each year. Bakers’ electric ovens are made in Christchurch and Wellington. Reference to electricity reminds one that the Auckland Power Board the largest customer in the world for domestic electric hot-water systems. More than 120 men are employed in Christchurch and Wellington making these systems. The making of electric irons, jugs, and kettles in Auckland and Christchurch also provides work for a good number of men. 1000 Make Radios

The construction of radio sets and cabinets in New Zealand has passed the experimental stage, and at the present time two factories in Wellington and one in Auckland are employing approximately 1000 people in their manufacture (not merely assembling them).

It is stated on good authority that nearly all the corsets worn in New Zealand are made in this country, one factory alone requiring the services of 250 workers. This evidence of the discrimination of the women of the Dominion appears to a mere man as proof of the outstanding quality of the product.

It is surprising to And that over 100 persons are employed in the manufacture of men’s ties, and that the making of large quantities of high-grade gloves for men and woInen provides work for 120 people.

The manufacture of electric petrol pumps is becoming a very important phase of modern industry, and about 100 Wellington workers in foundries and factories are making nearly all of the pumps that are reaching the market at the present time.

Two hundred factory workers in Dunedin and Christchurch have practically a monopoly of. the manufacture of gas stoves, hardly any of these kitchen essentials being imported; while two factories in Wellington employ 75 hands in making gas meters. Lawnmowers and Billies The making of lawn mowers keeps about 100 people busy in Auckland and Christchurch; 150 are engaged in making kettles, billies and other domestic tinware; and the quality of the nails made is indicated by the fact that 98 per cent of those JJused in New Zealand are produced by the 60 men employed.

One hundred people are engaged in making men’s bowlers and soft felt hats, and the weaving of very fine quality floor rugs, manufactured from rag oddments, provides jobs for a good staff; door mats made from old tires is another tource of employment. The food section of the Dominion’s minor industries contributes to the general prosperity by providing work in the making of rennet (both dairy and household) and sugar of milk, and in the canning of toheroas, cels, mussels, and whitebait.