H.— 44

Coach and Motor Body Building. Output: 1906, £295,000; 1924, £711,000 ; 1925, £721,000. Employees; 1924,1,231; 1925,1,275. While trade conditions in this industry have been relatively good, labour is now plentiful, and the consensus of opinion amongst manufacturers is that prospects are only fair. While the difficulty arising, however, is apparently due in some measure to a change in the nature of the manufacturingwork to be done in the Dominion, the local manufacturers are not securing anything approaching a relative proportion of the increased trade in motor-vehicles. There are several new factories under erection throughout the Dominion for the assembling of motor-cars and the partial construction and assembling of motor-bodies on a massed production basis. Furniture and Cabinet Making. Output: 1906, £328,000 ; 1924, £1,114,000 ; 1925, £1,256,000. Employees: 1924,2,063; 1925,2,186. The year 1924-25 has shown considerable improvement in output and employment in this industry. Skilled labour, particularly in the upholstering branch, is scarce. Throughout the past year business was very satisfactory. It is, however, anticipated that trade during the coming year will be rather quiet, and local competition is keen. Increased output is reported by manufacturers of gramophones, and good progress is being made by the piano and pianola making industry, which is employing an ever-increasing number of hands. Chemicals and Fertilizers. Output: 1906, £95,000 ; 1924, £515,000 ; 1925, £799,000. Employees : 1924, 333 ; 1925, 346. The increased outpu„ in this industry is attributable mainly to the extra demand for superphosphates. This industry has been free of labour troubles, and there is no difficulty in obtaining sufficient labour for all requirements. Business generally has been very satisfactory, and demand for all classes of manures is growing steadily. New works have been established at New Plymouth and at Wanganui. Owing to stormy weather and labour troubles at Nauru and Ocean Islands there has, since December, 1925, been some difficulty in obtaining sufficient supplies of phosphate rock. An improvement in deliveries has, however, recently taken place, and further development in this important industry may be anticipated. Woollen-mills. Output: 1906, £397,000 ; 1924, £1,421,000 ; 1925, £1,264,000. Employees: 1924,2,580; 1925, 2,273_ In common with the clothing industry and the boot-manufacturing industry, the woollen-mills have experienced during the year ended 31st March, 1925, a dull period, the value of production having fallen £157,000 and the number of employees by 307. Recent reports indicate that conditions are improving, and manufacturers expect to see a further recovery during the coming year. Jams and Preserves. Output: 1906, £98,000 ; 1924, £244,000 ; 1925, £240,000. Employees: 1924,269; 1925,269. This industry appears to be stationary, and although it has been subjected to rather severe competition from Australia and America, it is nevertheless holding its own. Considerable development is pending on account of the fact that existing factories in both Islands are being extended and new machinery is being installed. Tanning. Output : 1924, £588,810 ; 1925, £591,165. Employees : 1924, 561 ; 1925, 550. This industry has been directly affected by the unsatisfactory conditions ruling in the footwearmanufacturing industry. The trade has been depressed for some time past, and, although in certain sections business is reasonably good, there can be no general recovery until boot-manufacturers regain their position in the local market. The undermentioned industries produced in 1924-25 an increased value of goods as compared with 1923 24 :—

The foregoing industries, with the possible exception of flax-milling, are expected to show continued progress in the current year,

17

Value of Output. Industry. ! 1024. 1925. I Increase. . I I J £ £ £ Paper bag and box making . . .. . . .. Ill, 000 165,000 54,000 Lime-burning and cement-manufacturing .. .. .. 880,000 966,000 86,000 Leadlight and glass bevelling manufacturing .. .. 162,000 194,000 32,000 Sailmaking and oilskins-manufacturing .. .. .. 139,000 176,000 37,000 Paints and varnishes .. .. .. .. .. 97,000 119,000 22,000 Hosiery .. .. .. .. .. .. 156,000 170,000 14,000 Flax-milling .. .. .. .. .. .. 334,000 520,000 186,000