AUSTRIA TO-DAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5505, 25 November 1929, Page 3

AUSTRIA TO-DAY.

—_<3 INTENSIVE PRODUCTION. VIENNA AS FASHION CENTRE. In an interview accorded a representative of the “Hauraki Plains Gazette” Mr 0. J. Thedens, Government representative of the combined Chambers of Commerce in Austria, and a member of the 1929 commerce train party, had some interesting things to say about Austria. Asked ab'out post-bellum develop- ‘ merits in "Austria, Mr Thedens said that Austria was predominantly an industrial country as far as its economic equipment was concerned. f Iron Industry. i On the foundation of Styrian iron, said Mr Thedens, numerous and important branches of the iron-working industry had been favourably developed. Constructural and railway material, sheet-iron, all kinds of tools, cutlery, instruments of precision, etc., were included in the present production of this industry. The iron-work-ing industry exported on a. considerable scale, snd successful efforts had been made in recent years to find a market in distant and overseas countries. t Salt. At several places salt was found in such pureness that it was mined as rock salt,' already fit for further use, stated the commissioner. It was, however, mostly mixed with other mineral ingredients. In this case the salt was dissolved in water in large caves and then conducted through a pipe system to boiling huts, where the water was evaporated. The mines were known to the peoples of the Stone and Bronze Ages, and some of the salt mines were famous throughout the world for their* unique arid uncanny beauty. “The machine,, electrical, automobile, and 1 bicycle industries are well established, said Mr Thedens, and were developing rapidly along the lines which made, the products famous in pre-war days.” Fashion. All branches'of the textile industry were represented, from the production of artificial wool and artificial silk to the manufacture of the finest fashion fabrics, continued Mr Thedens. The clothing industry, centred in Vienna, employed about 20 per cent, of the population. In men’s fashions Vienna occupied a leading position on the Continent. As regarded ladies’ fashions, Vienna was easily first in Europe in respect to walking and sports costumes, as well as the type of dresses known as “modern style,” which was brought into vogue in that city. In other branches of ladies’ fashion trade Vienna maintained a position co-equal with that of Paris. “Fancy shoes are an Austrian speciality,” stressed Mr Thedens, “and are exported in large quantities. Vienna fancy leather goods, notably women’s handbags, are world-famed for their tasteful models and particular elegance, leading, as they do, the world’s fashions.” Imports from New Zealand. Speaking of Austrian imports from New Zealand, Mr Thedens said they consisted at‘present chiefly of wool, butter, and apples—imports which were continually increasing. Mr Thedens pointed out that the majority of these did not appear on the New Zealand Customs export returns as going to Austria, as they were consigned mostly through London. There the goods were transhipped and conveyed direct to Austria. New Zealand butter and apples werq greatly appreciated in his country, and he was pushing their sale all he could. The Country. Of Austria itself Mr Thedens? said the country was recovering from postwar depression, depression due in no small measure to the fact that without any thought to economic necessities the new republic had been cut out of the body of a large empire the component parts of which had advantageously complemented each other industrially and agriculturally. z State Railways Commercialised. In view of the financial difficulties with which the Republic had to contend in the first years of its existence the Austrian Federal Railroads, which now controlled about 88 per cent, of the entire railroad system of the country, were separated in 1923 from the general State administration, which had up to that time been directly responsible for the operation of the lines, and were constituted as an independent commercial corporation. Owing to this, and the electrification of a large mileage due to shortage of cbal in the country, the yearly deficit was soon turned into a surplus. One notable fact of commercialisation was that when the railways were last under State control the permanent staff numbered 92,238, a total that was reduced in 1927 to 83,900. Agriculture. ■“Agriculture is now a great asset to Austria,” said Mr Thedens, “though after the war it had to make an entirely fresh start along new lines in order to kee'p pace with the altered circumstances. Thanks to the perseverance and unflagging energy of Austrian agricultural interests, who made the most of existing resources, it had been possible to increase production to an extraordinary extent. In 1928 the yield P er acre m hundredweights amounted to 13.3 for maize, 9.5 for flax, 88.3 for potatoes, 202.6 for turnips, 44.4 for clover, 35 for vetch, and 29.1 for hay. The inland production of butter and cheese did not fulfil the requirements of the home market, however, and cattle for slaughter were imported in large mtajsbers. -“The employment of modern machines for breaking up the ground and the adoption of suitable manuring methods have resulted in valuable land being obtained at comparatively :small' cost,” stated Mr Thedens. “About 38 per cent, of Austria is under forest, the yearly increment being :9.3 million cubic metres, 61.7 per cent. (O f which is used as timber and the rest as firewood. “Austria possesses many agricultural and forestry schools,” continued

Mr Thedens. “One of them, the Hochschule fur Bodenkultur, in Vienna, has the status of a university, and there are also university chairs of agriculture and forestry economy at the technical schools in Vienna and at Gratz, at the veterinary school in Vienna, and at the mining academy at Leoben. Secondary and lower schools are also in existence. Among the latter are special schools for- dairy farming, horticulture, and other branched “In order to make the farming community acquainted with modern but well-tried methods of cultivation,” said Mr Thedens, “the consultation of experts has been made accessible to agricultural holders and training courses have been organised for them. Training in domestic economy for young peasant women is also in vogue.” Vienna. Mr Thedens spoke of Vienna as the most beautiful city on earth, a decision he had reached after visiting most of the capital cities of the globe. “Vienna,” he said, “has no counterpart. Almost everything in Vienna breathes an artistic spirit. Eye and ear receive the imprint of the peculiar Vienna cachet. The city is the metropolis of decorative art, where the historical styles are represented on a par with the designs of modern masters of the crafts, and even in regard to the latest artistic tendencies Vienna has maintained a leading position. It is only natural that in a country so much given to cultural and, above all, to artistic pursuits, which also has been richly endowed with natural beauties, the city should show the imprint of aesthetic aspirations. In the styles of all periods, with a wide range of individualistic expression, churches, abbeys, and palaces rise up adorned with frescos, stained, glass windows, paintings, and other art treasures. The Gothic style, on a lesser scale the Renaissance, and later on the Baroque and Empire styles, find the largest scope. Thus the beauty of the place can readily be imagined.” New Zealand. Mr Thedens said that Austria was a wonderful country from the tourist point of view, but he also expressed his unbounded admiration for not only New Zealand scenery but for the hospiltality of its people. He intimated that through his representations and those of the bodies he represented New Zealand’s scenic charms were being extensively advertised in Austria, so that many tourists from that country would be attracted to this Dominion. ______