H.—44,

Engineering. Official statistics, year ended 31st March — 1935. 1936. 1937. Establishments (number) .. .. 196 204 206 Employees (number) .. .. 2,772 3,326 3,727 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £502,118 £602,668 £774,907 Value of output .. .. .. £1,413,701 £1,784,274 £2,095,990 Value added by manufacture .. £855,960 £1,055,050 £1,253,502 Considerable activity has generally been experienced throughout the year in all engineering trades, and reports indicate that employment has increased slightly in some centres. Competition was generally keen but healthy. Difficulty was experienced earlier in the year in obtaining supplies of steel, but such delays are now of shorter duration. Much new commercial machinery was installed, whilst in jobbing-work, repairs, and renewals considerable activity was observed. Certain new departures in manufacture are reported. The outlook appears good. Same, Pickle, and Vinegar Making. Official statistics, year ended 31st March — 1935. 1936. 1937. Establishments (number) .... 18 18 16 Employees (number) .. . . 236 250 254 Salaries and wages paid .. . . £38,345 £41,583 £47,263 Value of output .. .. .. £192,219 £217,209 £222,264 Value added by manufacture .. £108,125 £120,920 £127,231 Imports, calendar years — Pickles (gallons) .. .. .. 944 2,375 5,870 Value .. .. .. .. £731 £1,501 £2,804 Sauce and chutney (gallons) .. .. 8,702 11,057 16,938 Value .. .. .. .. £10,781 £12,615 £15,625 Vinegar (gallons) .. .. .. 12,670 18,346 18,274 Value .. .. .. .. £4,068 £5,656 £4,843 The industry has enjoyed a successful year, and despite keen competition both from overseas and local sources sales have shown increases ranging up to 10 per cent., which is attributed chiefly to the better spending-power of the public. In some cases there is a tendency to increase staff and to add to equipment. Prospects are considered good, especially as a large share of the market is assured to manufacturers as the result of tariff adjustments. Soap and Candle Making. Official statistics, year ended 31st March — 1935. 1936. 1937. Establishments (number) .... 23 23 22 Employees (number) . . . . 513 492 553 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £86,817 £89,187 £107,259 Value of output .. .. .. £536,235 £574,191 £578,569 Value added by manufacture .. .. £299,695 £296,128 £279,091 Conditions have, for the most part, been steady, and in the North an improved demand has been experienced. Employment appears on a par with last year. Several new lines of toilet preparations have been undertaken, with encouraging results. The production of candles continues to diminish. Coach and Motor-body Building and Cycle-works. Official statistics, year ended 31st March— 1935. 1936. 1937. Establishments (number) .. .. 1,077 1,150 1,218 Employees (number) .. .. 5,473 6,731 8,185 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £889,439 £1,138,974 £1,600,730 Value of output .. .. ..£2,570,963 £3,222,626 £4,334,236 Value added by manufacture .. £1,453,249 £2,002,383 £2,776,311 Motor-body builders have experienced an excellent year, and in many cases turnovers were appreciably above those for 1937. Production and sales appear to have increased upward of 30 per cent. New plant has been installed in some factories, and increases in employment up to 20 per cent, are reported, in order to cope with improved conditions. Biscuits and Confectionery Making. Official statistics, year ended 31st March— 1935. 1936. 1937. Establishments (number) .... 57 60 60 Employees (number) .. .. 2,591 2,862 3,127 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £273,078 £314,717 £392,606 Value of output .. .. .. £1,481,575 £1,688,191 £1,964,130 Value added by manufacture .. £734,421 £813,122 £992,743 Generally, excellent trading conditions were experienced with considerable expansion in business taking place, and some increase in staffs resulting. The piublic was spending freely, although, in regard to confectionery, it was ascertained that in some centres, owing to the unusually hot summer, a lull in sales was apparent during late months. Local competition remains keen.

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