OFFICIAL OPENING OF EXTENDED INDUSTRIAL PREMISES

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 August 1946, Page 6

OFFICIAL OPENING OF EXTENDED INDUSTRIAL PREMISES

Latest advancement in Wanganui’s industrial expansion was marked yesterday afternoon by the official opening of the extension to Messrs. J. J. McCaskey’s premises in Taupo Quay. The new premises will provide additional employment for many workers and will bring lhe staff total io over 120. It will also mean an innovation to Wanganui for the cutting of the textiles is to be performed here instead of at Wellington.

The extended premises are only a step in the direction of a bright future, for it is the company's intention to build a new and larger factory here as soon as possible. For the official opening yesterday there were present, the Major, Hon. W. J. Rogers, M.L.C., the Member Mr. J. B. CotteriJl, M.P., City Council officers, representatives of the business community, who were conducted on an inspection of the factory.

The extension is into the first floor of the building adjoining the first ‘House of Relax,” and this provides space for the establishment of three full conveyors, which are already in operation, and later a smaller conveyor is to be installed, bringing the total for the factory to six. With the mast modern of equipment, a carefully planned layout, and bright sunny room, working conditions are of high standard and inducive to complete satisfaction of the operatives. Special facilities and conditions are provided to insure that there is nothing that can mar the contentment of the staff or detract from their working efficiency. Fiveminute breaks are provided every hour, there is a five-day 40-hour week, with bonuses, in proportion to production, over and above the liberal wages. A cafeteria providing morning and afternoon tea is an integral part of the establishment, and here too the staff may have their luncheon if they so desire without having to leave the premises. There is also a first aid room in case of illness.

Yet to be installed is the cutting plant, which will ultimately provide employment for eight men. In the past all the cutting has been done in

Wellington and the materials sent to Wanganui for machining and completing, but with the latest development the factory will be completely self-contained. The interests of the staff are also watched in off-work hours, and there is a social club as well as several sports teams.

The experiment of employing male machinists was introduced to Wanganui by the House of Relax some months ago and is proving successful. Already 27 men are on the staff, and 25 more are on the waiting list to be taken on. Each week two or three men begin their training, as it is possible to train only a small number at a time, and in this way each conveyor is operated by a competent staff instead of by beginners. That the men find this work both remunerative and congenial is illustrated by the number of applications received, and the company is able to make a selection of the best labour offering. The standard of worker taken on has been high, and although not so experienced and consequently a little slower, the men have already proved neater workers than the girls. There is a spirit of friendly rivalry between the two, and the output from the conveyor operated by men is not much lower than those of the women. A good percentage of the male machinists are ex-servicemen.

A bigger wage bill is involved in the employment of men. but the company considers that the step is justified in that it. absorbs into useful employment returned men and others, who will ultimately have greater efficiency than female machinists. Another point is that, the working life of an average man is about 30 yeafs, while with women the average is about five years before they are married and leave the company’s employ.

It was obvious from the inspection that working conditions compared more than favourably with any that can be found in shop or office, and that the standard of efficiency and alertness required was as great as for most positions in either of those.

“I would like to thank the people of Wanganui for what they lave done foi the firm." slated the managing director, Mr. J. Fleming, addressing the vislto.s and staff. “They gave us such line workers, and this has been reflected in lhe quality and the output, of goods.”

"Their experience in Wanganui since they established a few years ago. had been so encouraging, and such was their faith in the future of Wan-

ganui, that they wanted Io make a part of lhe future, and the present extension was just one of the steps forward that the company intended to take in the city.

The House of Relax had started a new venture for Wanganui, and that was the employment of male machinists. The experiment had proved successful and was going to be followed

In declaring lhe extension officially open the Mayor said the people oi Wanganui appreciated the faith that was being shown in their city. The company was providing employment for 120 of the city’s citizens, which was a valuable thing in combating the to lhe already overcrowded main centres. Hon. Rogers concluded by

wishing the company every success h) the future.

The House of Relax was making a great step forward for Wanganui in providing useful and remunerative employment for so many people, particular.!y as this was only one of the intended advancements, stated Mr. Cotterill. It was pleasing to know that men were now being employed, and as chairman of the Wanganui Rehabilitation Committee he was pleased that retu.ned men were being given preference. The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. A. McPhail, congratulated the company on the enlargement of their premises, and added that they had shown good sense in coming to Wanganui. The value of decentralisation was stressed by Mr. H. C. Jenkins, speaking for the Press. Concentration brought more difficulties than advantages. mainly in transport and power, which was not encountered to such a degree in the smaller cities. A good staff had been assembled, but a good staff, without gooc. management, was like an engine without power. The company was fortunate in its goed management, and the co-operative feeling that existed between the staff, the management and director.-..

Replying for the company, Mr. S. R. McCallum, Wanganui manager, stated that all the staff except one belonged to Wanganui. During the war, when the company was turning out goods lor tire forces, it meant that 80 to ICO girls were retained here who otherwise would have been directed to work elsewhere, an important thing for the city. The establishment of factories in the city was a means of increasing the value ot property in the city, and its spending power. This one concern alone had a wage bill last year of £23,000, which was mostly spent in the city. The company took all steps possible to give the staff the ’best conditions. There was a works committee which met about once a fortnight to discuss all problems. There was a social club, sports teams for the girls, and eventually there would be organised sport for the men. A staff saving scheme was operated, whereby up to £5O could be saved in a year and subsidised by 10 per cent, by the company.

The secret of the success was the goodwill that the city had for lhe company, and the goodwill between the staff, the management and directors. After this ceremony the gathering adjourned lor afternoon tea. The occasion was marked last night by a staff ball.