NEW TRADE CHANCES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 152, 22 March 1919, Page 10

NEW TRADE CHANCES

CLOCKS, TYPEWRITERS, AMD TBACTORS. <■ New chances for British engineers and mechanics in peace industries are indicated in the report, of a committee of the Ministry of Reconstruction appointed to compile a list of 'articles suitable for manufacture by the engineering trade for which there is now likely to •be a demand. The cominittce bad the assistance of 150 leading manufacturers. _Amoi>g the articles the manufacture of which could ■ be greatly developed are mentioned the following:— Motor-tractors; sewing machines; typewriters; clocks; watches; corn and seed drills; calico printing machines; dyeing machinery; electric tools; cream separators; swath turners; liay loaders; lace machines; gas-mantle machines. More specialisation and standardisation are recommended in the interest of perfection, .Cheapness, and wider employment for skilled and unskilled' workers.

The branch committee on hollow ware, sheet metal, and pressed work say that, Eaving regard to the mount of physical strength and mechanical aptitude required, many women could be employed. Large firms are taking up the manufacture of sewing machines, but there is room for ' considerable development in the manufacture of typewriters.,

' Stress is laid in one report on tho necessity for ensuring the continuance of tho manufacture of carbons. If one firm had not continued to make arc-lamp carbons at a loss, the country would have had difficulty in meeting the demands for searchlight carbons.

Magnetos are now adequately made here, and tho committee recommend that German magnetos should he excluded after the war, except under license, and that a duty should be imposed on all imported magnetos.

The committee have agreed that bouafule inquirers, by applying to the Ministry of Reconstruction, may be put in touch with the chairman of the branch committee concerned to obtain information and advice as to their prospects in entering upon a new' industry.