AUSTRALIAN STATE TRADING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2796, 11 October 1924, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN STATE TRADING.

A STORY OF FAILURES. Those who wish to see New Zeahmd enter info various fields of Slate Trading would do well to study what have been the results of such enterprises in Australia. Tn the New South Wales Legislative Assembly on 22nd. July 1924 in reply to ouestions by Mr. Goldstein the following information was given; “The trawling industry was established by the State Government in .July 1915. The losses made eaeh year were; 191(1, £11,005; 1917, £9,207; 1918, £0,803; 1919, £14,440: 1020. £72.707; 1021. £9.333; .1922,£56,5(57; 1923, £39,82(5. The amount of capital invested in the business was £20(5,792. The total loss to date is £222.00(5. In 1923-24 an amount of £2,500 is set down' as approximate loss, this representing the expenses of realisation, and not covering interest.” No wonder the Government decided to sell out. TASALVNTSAI EXPERIENCE. The Hobart Correspondent of the Sydney “Morning Herald” wired on Stli July 1924; "Tt was officially announced' to-day that the Stale sfeamcr “Melbourne” would immediately lie Offered for sale. The decision of the Cabinet was influenced by the fact that an expenditure of from £2,000 to £3,000 would be nee essary to secure the renewal of her seagoing certificate which will expire on July 24th. It is cslimaled that (lie steamer “Melbourne” has cost the Tasmanism Government at least £(58,000. She was chartered to the Patrick S.S. Company for £3OO a month.”

QUEENSLAND’S HUGE LOSSES. In the Queensland Legislative Assembly on 19th August 1924 the member of Toowong (Air. Maxwell) summed up the position on the State enterprises. lie gave the following results at 30th June 1923: “Showing profit; Butcher Shops £1,70.3; Hotels £8,175; Railway Refreshment Rooms £30.000. Enterprises showing loses; State Stations £;>< 2813; Cannery £5.3,904; Trawler and Steamer £48,5(50; Roma Bore £35,597; Fish Supply £35 790: Arsenic Mine £7,(531; Batteries £5.790; Cliiltgoe Mines and Smelters £178,050; iron and Steel Works £49,042; Alin's £40.100; Irvimlnnd Treatment A'orks £32,0(55: Palmer (odd Alines .’5,220: Sawmills £18.411; Produce Agency £4-1, 777; Retail Stores £l,:"03.

The net losses shown to 3()th Jane 1923 totalled .tT.OJO.UM. Uniaid incoiiu* tax totalled C 104.920 aid interest unpaid stood at £9..-

i :i5. In the “Age" 20th August '924 the capital given as “licit up" ii these State enterprises amounted to £3,455,000." To the politicians and State Olli•ials of New Zealand who are dislosed to run our country into similar ventures to those of the Aus,ralian States we can only repeat the advice given by “Punch" to those about to marry “Don’t”. We have quite enough trouble in the Dominion already. (Contributed by the New Zealand AVelfare League.)