TRADE IN AUSTRALIA

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1932, Page 6

TRADE IN AUSTRALIA

A VISITOR’S VIEWS. WELLINGTON, Oct. 31

Four weeks spent -in Sydney have been, sufficient to convince, Mr 0.-. M, Olliver, of Christchurch, that conditions in Australia are steadily, improv-. ing. Unemployment, he ioui.dj is- being considerably reduced. “A significant tiling is that there is more confidence- in business,’’ /-M; Olliver said to-day after his arrival in the Jiakura. “Trade is better and there are more opportunities for the absorption of men■..through', 'channels-othep-jihan relief work.” . South Wales during the last fouri' months the total number of un;'&rffjl'dyed had . been reduced from 2vAf r <*iO to r.O,CCO, said Mr Olliver. Of the number placed only 6/OQ bad been put,.oil relief work, the-balance being absorbed in industry by piiv.ate enterprise. An indication'of the trend of prices Was provided by. the , fact tliat the Various. basic ~ wage rate? throughout the Commonwealth, were again .to: he reduced as .from November Ist. The new rate in Melbourne was to be ,£3 8 S 6d, a reduction cf Is fid, and in Sydney £3, 15s, a re 7 . duction of. Is. . “The basic'wage in Australia,” added Mr Olliver, “is of interest l‘o' New Zealijifid, jms,mueh as, primary, there ai‘e inflated to the extent of V per cent more than in. New Zealand by reason of the London exchange.”