CONDITIONS AT HOME

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 61, 6 December 1920, Page 6

CONDITIONS AT HOME

INDUSTRIAL DIFFICULTIES PROSPECTS FOR DOMINION'S PRODUCE AN OPTIMISTIC FORECAST ByTelegraph.-Special Correspondent. • Masterton, December 4. 'Mr. J. C. Cooper, managing director of tho Wellington Farmers' Meat Company, addressed a largo meeting of farmers this afternoon on industrial and agricultural conditions, etc., in England and Europe, as ho. found them on his recent visit. Mr. Coojper said that it was most important > lor tho New Zealand farmers to have an idea of the industrial position in England and Europe, because tho industrial position in the Old World refleeted, itself on the products of the Dominion. At the end of tho war the people of England, after their continual hard work, gave way to an orgy of extravagance. Gratuities, etc., resulted in largo sums of money being released at Home, and, money was spent not too wisely or too well. Factories were established to produce goods, but the people desired nbsoluto 'nxuries, and instead of producing goods which were wanted so badly by tho world, the industries pandered to this whirlwind of extravagance. Shipbuilding and steel industries wore working nt high prossurc, but othor industries, particularly the motor, industry, were lacrging. There werp whole sale dismissals of employees, and one firm dismissed 2000 of its workers hi one week. Bonks wero viaving tho ' greatest difficulty in financing industrial concerns. The banks wore rationing out money to industries, but only to those which exported goods. There was coing to be a very hard winter in the Old Country for many thousands of people. _ During tho ergy of extravagance just after tho war, fine wools were in great demand because men and women only wanted tho best. A reaction had now set in for coarse wools, but was not so much as was expected.

Destruction by the Huns, Statements which had been made in the cablegrams in regard to the destruction by the Germans of factories in Francß wero perfectly true. During his visit to Franco he saw evidenco of it everywhere. In somo townß factories had been totally destroyed, in others partly so. In some woollen factories the whole of the looms had been destroyed, while in others they had either been partly destroyed or stolen by tho Germans and token to Germany. Partly destroyed factories were being restored, and were working in a lame sort of way. Tho position in regard to the woollen mills was most serious, because it would toko years to replaco tho destroyed or stolen looms. The coal problem ivas also a very serious matter for FTance. 0»o French engineer had informed him that it would take at least five years before the coal mines in France would be working.at pre-war capacity. Industry had been practically destroyed in France. There were very fow factofifß working in the North of France. As a result of the ravages of the war. and tho terrible and deliberate-destruc-tion done by the Germans, France ■would, in his opinion, never recover from the effects of the war. There would never be a market in France for our produce. The great French wine industry was in a very bad way. If ever again it'eamo to defending! the Rhine against the Germans, Franco would never be able to carry out the task, which would fall upon thb British to accomplish. Mr. Cooper said that,ho found feeling in Holland very pro-German. Holland, he added, mis really a province of Germany. Everywhere one went ono found German influence, and sympathy for the Germans. Holland's ohief trade was with Germany, and she was really an outlet for the manufactures of Germany. British bankors wore not in a position to finance Genii any, except nt ™o_ expense of tho British people and British industries. Germany must right herself, and eventually would do so. Germany was not so badlv off industrially as many people imagined. In nenrly every district factories were working nt. high pri>ssuro. We had received about all the indemnity wo would get from Germany. Germany was already getting ready to fight tho war over again.

"Producers Goinn to Have a Good Time."

"For years to come we are soing to get big prices for our meat and dairv produce," said Mr. Cooper. "The producers in the Dominion are coin? to hare a cood time. As soon as the existing- stocks at Home, were exhausted there would bo an improvement in the price of coawo wools. Unless there is a revolution at Home, or some other vmforcfw> serous trou'ulo, ynii are'going to get prices for your produce you do not dream of.to-dav." Mr. Cooper went on to sav that nothing would pay the New Zealand farmer so well as his lamb. The speaker expressed tho opinion that the hip American meat, firms would probably come to an understanding in regard to prices, and thus eliminate competition. He viewed the- position with feelinss of misgiving. Mr. Cooper ivns accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr. W. H. Buick for his address.