H—44

(/) Rubber Goods and Vulcanizing The first motor-car tire to be made in New Zealand was produced in a new tirefactory in Christchurch in June, 1948. The two other motor-tire factories, one at Upper Hutt and the other at Auckland, turned out their first products in March, 1949. These factories are all of the most modern design and are equipped to perform their processes by the most modern methods. As they settle into their production programmes they are increasing the range and quantity of their products, and their combined capacity is such that this country will produce its full requirements of motor-tires of usual types and dimensions. (g) Tobacco and Cigarettes Local manufacturers were able to increase their output as compared with the previous year, but they were still unable to satisfy the growing domestic market. With local production supplemented by imports, however, the necessary confidence was established to permit the lifting as from Ist October, 1948, of the control which the Factory Controller had had to exercise for several years. The companies were most co-operative in operating the controls, and since these were discontinued distribution has been equitably made. Under schemes of decentralization, two of the major manufacturers now have factories at Otaki, Eeilding, and Taumarunui in addition to their city plants. With these units in production and with more modern machinery in use local output should further expand in 1949. SECTION 4—ENGINEERING .AND TRANSPORT (a) Radio Apparatus: Making and Assembling There has been 'continuation of the trend which was noted in last year's report that,, after having overtaken the accumulated demand for standard types of radio sets r manufacturers were diverting their production into new lines both of radio and of alternative types of product. Miniature radio receivers and light engineering products are the lines to which most manufacturing capacity which was previously devoted to standard types of domestic radio has been _ diverted. The industry now uses a much higher proportion of components from sterling sources and a lower proportion of United States material than was previously the case. (b) Electrical Engineering In general this industry has completed its establishment on the lines planned for the post-war phase of its development. Its output is of considerable diversity and ranges from small electrical fittings to large transformers operating at pressures up to 11,000 volts-Steel-supplies have been difficult and output has been restricted on this account. Enamelling steel sheet required for domestic ranges has been particularly hard to obtain in adequate quantities, but co-operation between the Department and manufacturers has resulted in production of sufficient domestic ranges for new houses and to meet replacement demands. An important new local industry is the making of electric motors in a range at present of 1, and 2 horse-power of the three-phase, 400-volt, screen-protected type. Production of general types of electrical accessories, appliances, and lamps has proceeded smoothly during the year. Aerial power cables and copper wire in gauges suitable for general purposes are now being produced in New Zealand. Considerable ftxrther expansion is planned in this field.

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