CONDITIONS IN AUSTRALIA

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1929, Page 7

CONDITIONS IN AUSTRALIA

Allt G. TV. HUTCHISON’S

OBSERVATIONS

AUCKLAND, Nov. 20

Further reports of industrial depression in Australia are brought back to New Zealand by Air G. W. Hutchison, a well-known Auckland accountant and member of the City Council, who returned from a business visit to Sydney by the Ulimaroa to-day. All the States, except perhaps Western Australa, were feeling the pinch of bad times ,he said. The position was so serious that one large Melbourne firm was even advertising a “depression sale.”

“Business in Sydney is in a very bad way,” isa d Mr Hutchison. “There has been a bad season for production and at present the Commonwealth is working on a bank overdraft in London of £20,000,C00 at six per cent. There appears to be no solution to the financial difficulty.” Traffic control in Sydney seemed to become- more difficult every day. it had been found that a comprehensive scheme of street widening was imperative and this was costing literally millions. The opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge would provide the city with another traffic problem, as it would mean the concentration of continuous streams of traffic on two spots. “In-Auckland we should lose no opportunity of catering lor future traffic developments,” Mr Hutchison said. “l r ienty of road space is essential, and we should provide it now. if we wait much longer the cost of widening the streets will become enormous. City property values cannot be expected to stand istill.

“While I was in Australia I made an unsuccessful attempt to get into touch with the Commonwealth Government on the question of deposits required from visitors to Australia and New Zealand on ears brought with them for their private use. The system is manifestly wrong, and though the* National Bonds and Motor Association of New South Wales is eager to have it dropped, I think that an active campaign must be made from this side.

* “Tim Sydney Botnry Club is just embarking on a gret, work,” Air Hutchison continued. “It has arranged to have every cripnled child in Sydney examined by leading surgeons. When I he examinations are completed efforts will he made to raise £1 b.OfO so that everv case can leceive individual fltlent'on. A citizens’ campaign is to ' be launched, directed by Sir Hemy