SITES FOR FACTORIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 9

SITES FOR FACTORIES

WILL WANGANUI HAVE ANY AVAILABLE? CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO ■ INVESTIGATE The probability of Australian, Canadian and British manufacturing firms establishing factories in New Zealand for the production of articles they are not allowed to export to this country under existing legislation restricting imports, has influenced the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce to set up a committee to press Wanganui claim’s as a suitable industrial centre. The matter was raised by Mr. D. G. O’Toole last night. He stressed the facilities for power obtainable in Wanganui, its nearness to a main centre of population like Wellington, where land was dear and labour scarce. It was pointed out during the discussions which followed, that the population of New Zealand was too small to be encouraging too many firms. It was stated that one Australian firm which manufactured chewing gum said that it could make a supply for New Zealand, enough to last a year, in a week to a fortnight. Mr. R. G. Taiboys said that it had first to be remembered that some sort of town-planning scheme would have to be adhered to in a matter ol this sort. The industrial areas should be decided upon, 8e said, and then some attempt made at getting land within those areas. Mr. O’Toole said that the chamber should interest the City Council and Electric Power Board with a view to obtaining concessions to induce manufacturing firms to come to Wangdnui. The trade commissioners of Australia Canada and Britain, all of whom are resident in Wellington are to be communicated with to ascertain what firms are likely to endeavour to manufacture goods in the Dominion. Armed with that information, the Wanganui Chamber is to do everything it can to induce them to set up factories in Wanganui. _