AUSTRALIAN TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1925, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN TRADE

MR DALTON'S ANNUAL REPORT. AOSIIIAMAr,' AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION I (Received this day at 9.-15 a m.) LONDON, Dec. 30. Mr Dalton, the British Trade Commissioner, in his annual report, remarks on the development of the manufacturing industries by a system of high protections which is intensified by a drift of population to the cities. and which will probably continue to do :so. This aspect in Australia’s life has considerable interest and importance from an economic viewpoint, and must he taken into account in considering organisations for the development of trade.

Regarding the suggestion for the control of wool Mr Dalton says that despite the break in the market, probably the majority of the more conservative growers doubt the advisability of rcinst itul ing .schemes which were considered ne essary and undesirable in ordinary peace times. People are beginning to realize that there is a real possibility of the introduction of substitutes for wool, and il is time wool values were stabilised at a level which will permit of growth of consumption and remove any desir<> to adopt substitutes which mav iiltimatelv be-

come serious competitors with wool

Mr Dalton advocates a delegation from Bradford should visit Australia to place before growers Bradford’s real viewpoint, and the desirability for stabilising values at as low a price as possible, consistent with adequate returns to the growers and the others concerned. Australia’s most important industries wore those connected with metal and textiles wherein there was rapid development. particularly iron, steel and woollens. These had. and still have, to face very serious competition from imported goods and consequently have been unable to work with success, which should he assured to them. I here has been persistent requests for increased protection for these indusIrics. which will likely he granted. ,\ number of branch.factories of BriI ish firms which wen l established in Australia in some outstanding cases have been unsuccessful, due partly to over capitalisation, high production costs, uncertainty of labour conditions ami the fact that the home market did not prove big enough to absorb the products of the work’s whose efficiency demands considerable output.