H.—44

26

APPENDIX A. Manufacturing Industries. Fruit-preserving and Jam-making. Official statistics, year ended 31st March : — 1926. 1927. 1928. Establishments (number) .. .. .. 7 8 9 Employees (number) .. .. .. 247 260 309 Wages paid .. .. .. .. £44,625 £45,814 £54,825 Value of output £234,775 £273,436 £323,915 Value added by manufacture .. .. £83,720 £107,359 £122,895 Imports, calendar years : —• Jains anrl preserves (including preserved ginger) .. .. .. .. £27,738 £23,250 £28,555 Fruits bottled] and preserved in syrup — Apricots .. .. .. .. £23,352 £31,882 £27,195 Peaches .. .. .. .. £45,989 £48,645 £51,469 Pears.. .. .. .. •• £9,467 £6,987 £4,066 Fruit-pulp|n.e.i. .. .. .. £4,501 £5,660 £4,395 Total .. .. .. .. £111,047 £116,424 £115,680 It will be seen from the above tables that the products of the fruit preserving and canning industry have increased appreciably in output for the past three years, the last year showing an increase in output of approximately £50,000. The imports are approximately the same figures as those of the previous year. A new departure has been made in putting up fruit-salad in tins and jars, which has met with a ready sale. In the jam trade conditions are not so favourable compared with the previous year. Lime and Cement. Official statistics, year ended 31 st March : — 1926. 1927. 1928. Establishments (number) .. .. .. 26 26 27 Employees (number) .. .. .. 851 899 915 Wages paid .. .. .. .. £207,282 £216,969 £218,017 Value of output ' .. .. .. £904,955 £925,003 £961,561 Value added by manufacture .. .. £684,551 £687,266 £732,907 Imports, calendar years : — Cement, building (cwt.) .. .. .. 49,801 82,846 24,854 Value .. .. .. .. £9,969 £15,591 £7,078 Practically the whole of the requirements of the Dominion are supplied by the local works. The value of output appreciably increased for the past three years, that of last year showing an addition of £36,000 over the 1927 figures. Imports have decreased over 50 per cent, in value and 30 per cent, in quantity. New works have been" erected in the Otago District which contain the latest improvements in cement-making machinery, capable of turning out 1,000 tons of cement per week. These works were opened by the Minister on the 11th March, 1929. Engineering. Official statistics, vear ended 31st. March : — 1926. 1927. 1928. Establishments (number) . . . . 196 214 203 Emplovees (number) .. .. 3,807 3,778 3,668 Wages" paid .. .. .. £802,707 £786,161 £779,764 Value of output .. .. .. £1,993,911 £1,847,662 £1,828,818 Value added by manufacture .. £1,282,314 £1,207,999 £1,202,751 The above figures of engineering-works show a slight falling-off during the past twelve months. With the increasing use of motors driven by current generated by hydro-electric power, the use of steam plants and suction-gas plants is rapidly going out of use. In oil-engines, concrete-mixers, and washing-machines it is reported that a satisfactory year was experienced by southern firms. In dairying machinery competition from foreign countries made business conditions difficult. In domestic cooking-appliances the coal-range is gradually being superseded by the gas and electric method of cooking. One manufacturing company in the South Island has increased its plant by the installation of a vitreous enamelling plant, which will further add to the appearance of what is already a high-class and attractive-looking gas-cooking appliance. In electric ranges noticeable improvements have been recorded ; the local manufacturer has the advantage of being able to make appliances to meet the special requirements of his clients. Competition from overseas in small brasswork is particularly keen, notwithstanding that the local manufacturer has taken every precaution to instal the latest automatic and up-to-date machinery. In one particular line of brasswork an export of a small quantity to Australia has been made possible by the fact that no brasswork with a similar finish is made in thai country. Manufacturers of sheet-metal work report a satisfactory year. It would appear from import statistics that the Onakaka pig iron is gradually superseding the pig iron previously imported.