BETTER TIMES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 149, 16 February 1932, Page 6

BETTER TIMES

ENCOURAQING SIGNS OF RECOVERY EVIDENT IN AUSTRALIA. UNEMPLOYMENT DECREASE. SYDNEY, Friday. A general improvement in the financial position, the reopening of the Government Savings Bank, the increased demand for Australian wool and wheat, and the recent State-wide prosperity drive. These, according to city business men, are the main factors contributing towards the steady decrease in unemployment revealed in Commonwealth statistics released recently. On all sides they see clear indications that the cloud of depression is lifting — slowly, but surely — pointing to a year of renewed prosperity -and reconstruction. The figures show an unemployed decrease in New South Wales from 125,000 in August to 110,000 in Oetober and November. From other States the same note of optimism is sounded. Victorian registrations deereased about 6 per cent. between September and December. Business men are facing the future with a greater optimism. The ex-pregident of the Chamber of Manufactures (Mr. H. B. Sevier) says there can be no question as tc conditions being brighter and mort hopeful. "It is unfortunate, however, that this State is handicapped by imposts as compared with other States. "I am sure that if our conditions were placed on an equal basis New" South Wales would show an even more decided improvement." Sir Alfred Meeks sees brighter days ahead, and ascribes the recent improvement to the efforts made during the last two months to influence people to place men in employment, if only for a few days. That did much towards creating a better feeling, and increased confidence. Other representative men express similar views and join in acclaiming the better times which appear to have dawned.