BRITISH INDUSTRIES

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1929, Page 3

BRITISH INDUSTRIES

NEED OF PROTECTION

AUCKLAND, August 7

>Mr R. O. Dlmcari; formerly of Christchurch, alud well known m sporting and commercial circles throughout Now Zealand, has returned to the Dominion after an absence of two years, spent in the Old Country Mr Duncan travelled to Australia by the Oronsay and arrived in Auckland by the Ulimaroa. Questioned as to the .'condition of trade in Great Britain generally, Mr Duncan was of the opinion that an all-round improvement is to be seen, although the country lmd not yet fully recovered from tlie set-back it received Iby the general strike of 1926. One of the chief causes of the depression, he thought, was the lack of protection by the Home Government to the heavy iron and steel trades, which are one of. tho vital forces in the industrial World in England. Many branches of industry are working at full pressure, but it is to [be regretted that other branches which could be made prosperous by a little foresight on the part .of 'poJiticians at Home are still languishing from want of proper protection.

“The..free trade principles adopted in England towards > many industries are gradually building up Continental Powers at the expense '• if B"f----ish manufacturers,” Mr Duncan said. “There is no doubt that tlie imposition of the M’Kenna duties lias done much to. resuscitate the ’ motor-ear trade, and the small-priced car is, in consequence, meeting with tremendous demands by the public. Anither factor which tends to the popularity of the cheaper- and lower-pow-ered cars is the iniquitous tax based on power imposed on private owners by the Government. “In consequence of the re-miposi-tion of tlie M’Kenna duties, a number' of American and Continental manufacturers of motor-cars have established huge assembling works, where imported parts are assembled and bodies are built to cope with the English trade. Ford’s new works at Dagenham have just been commenced, and, wlien ill full working order, it is estimated that they will employ 15,C00 hands, the idea being to turn out an entirely British made Ford car. There are many industries, however, which would show a great revival and tend to do much to relieve the acute unemployment existing if adequate protection were granted tlienv. K policy of free trade within the Empire would, in my opinion, be the means of placing Britain in an unassailable position throughout the world, it being proved without doubt that Great Britain and her oyer *cas dominions can produce' everything needed for their internal requirements. “The dole is still a huge drain on the public and private purse of Groat Britain. To date it has 1 cost something like six. hundred millions sterling without a return in any shape or form. Undoubtedly it is sometimes abused by recipients.. Had' tlnit huge .amount been used in .the development of the Empire’s overseas dominions on the understanding that'they annually absorbed a nurtiber of emigrants pro rata to the 'amount , granted them, not only would it have relieved and perhaps eliminated the. unemployment question; but it would have been the means of developing the dominions in a manner that could not successfully lie pursued by individual Overseas Governments. The dole must oe looked upon as economic waste in. its present form, a circumstance very much; to be regretted.” Mr Duncan did not see very much racing during the twb years he was in England, but he says the advent of the totalisator is being looked forward to with, great interest by the sporting public generally. Mr Duncan is now in business in London, and will return there by the end of tho present