CONDITIONS ABROAD

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1929, Page 3

CONDITIONS ABROAD

ENG lASI-1 TP APE P E VIVAL. AUCKLAND, July 15. “ I found business in England improving,” said Mr John Philips, general manager in Australia ;pul New Zealand for Cliipman (Australasia), Ltd., who, for the past ten months, lias been touring abroad. He returned by the Niagara to-day and bad some inter' esting observations to make about the countries lie lias visited. “ The British coal-mines are getting I bnck their foreign orders and most o' i the mines are working full time,” lie I said.- ‘“The carpet business is good and is also working full time. Motorcars are in good demand and the yyiuf trade is busy. 1 could see signs of progress in many parts of England. . me older men are giving way to the younger sons, and these sons are travelling more and finding out what is required in the different foreign markets. , Also, these sons are scrapping lots of 1 old-fashioned'machinery and putting, in up-to-date and efficient plants, thus j enabling them to get output and com- j pete with other countries which manu- | facture similar lines. The principals j of many firms I interviewed, who have not previously done foreign business, ' are now keen to get into the game and will listen to suggestions. This was not possible a few years ago.

“ Germany, as far as an outsider can see, is up against it. This is due to a lack of money. Before the war, Germany would extend almost any terms to foreign buyers. Now they ask for cash. They cannot afford to wait for tlieir money, and the banks cannot help them at present. “America is developing into a country of chain stores and mergers and it is difficult to see where it will all end. When travelling through America it becomes rather monotonous to see the same stores everywhere with the same goods in the windows. The smaller man is being squeezed out. which seems a pity, as this will mean a loss of individuality and the monotonous sameness in every town. Some of the chain stores are already in England, and will, no doubt, soon extend to the Continent. They have tlieir eyes on Australia as well. “Canada everywhere seems prosperous and should continue to he so. Tlieir newsprint business is grow.ng all the time and new mills are being built.”