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SECTION 4.—ENGINEERING AND TRANSPORT (a) Radio Apparatus : Making and Assembling 1938-39. 1945-46. 1946-47.* Number of units engaged .. .. 24 25 Number of persons employed .. .. 475 1,232 1,219 Salaries and wages paid .. .. .. £90,429 £379,136 £371,000 Value of output .. .. .. £324,112 £1,218,738 £1,344,000 * Interim figures. There is now established in this country an efficient and highly competitive manufacturing industry capable of meeting the requirements of the 416,767 registered radio-set owners. The trade offers a wide selection of models ranging from portable types right through to fourteen-valve de luxe radio-gramophones. Car-owners also have a choice of several makes of automobile radios. New Zealand technicians keep in close contact with overseas radio developments, and it has been authoritatively stated that New-Zealand-built radios are equal in quality and sensitivity to domestic radio receiving sets made in any other part of the world. Post-war trends in taste are, on the one hand, towards compact sets, usually in moulded plastic cabinets, and, on the other, towards radio receivers incorporating record reproduction. Interest is at present being shown by manufacturers in types not previously made in New Zealand, such as miniature personal portable receivers ; but the demand for these is expected to be limited until such time as the number and power of broadcasting-stations are increased to allow full use to be made of these limited range sets. With the accumulated demand for standard types of radio sets having been overtaken, several manufacturers are diversifying their production into such lines as tricycles, flourescent lighting ballasts, and electrical appliances, while some are contemplating the manufacture of electronic devices for use in industry. (6) Electrical Engineering 1938-39. 1945-46. 1946-47.* Number of units engaged .. .. 97 110 Number of persons employed .. .. 1,018 1,707 1,864 Salaries and wages paid .. .. .. £184,375 £503,868 £581,000 Value of output .. .. .. £542,013 £1,904,182 £2,236,000 * Interim figures. (i) Electrical Power Distribution Transformers Although difficulties have been experienced over the past year in obtaining a continuous supply of semi-fabricated materials for this industry, production has been maintained at a surprisingly high level. Electrical steel sheet and structural steel present special difficulties in supply. On the other hand, a considerable improvement ha» been apparent of recent months in the supply from the United Kingdom of textilecovered copper winding wire and insulating-material, particularly elephantide. (ii) Insulated Cable A comprehensive range of 230-volt flexible power cable, radio wires, and automotive cable is now being produced in quantity, but runs have also been made of special types of cables such as heavy-gauge welding and others made to the specifications of Government Departments. Further expansion in the industry is planned.

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