RETURN TO NORMAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 44, 14 May 1927, Page 14

RETURN TO NORMAL

TRADE IN BRITAIN A GRADUAL RECOVERY SHIPBUILDING AND STEEL (From Our Resident Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. A general reversal to trade normality following the industrial upheaval caused by the coal strike is shown to be gradually taking place in England, and according to the tenor of the last trade bulletin received by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner, orders in the various big manufacturing spheres are recording a gratifying increase in the face of Continental competition. One of the departments in which it is considered economically advisable to use British material is in steel rails for the railway. On the Continental article there is a slight saving in cost, but as is pointed out, British railways never adopt such a policy, seeing that the wisest economy is to have the better article; nor do British-owned railways outside the United Kingdom specify inferior qualities. At the present time the difference in price between British and foreign rails cannot be regarded as excessive, and when coupled with the greater security and reliability of the acid-steel rail, the balance of economy is entirely in favour of the British article. British engineers, it is claimed, were the first railway builders, and have always maintained the highest standards in everything relating to strength and safety in service. Equally encouraging reports come from the shipbuilding centres where there is a steadily improving position both in regard to new construction and repair work. Some yards have on hand sufficient work for 12 months or more, and while others are less fortunately placed it can safely be said that, after the depression of the past few years, the prospects continue good. At the same time all district reports state that new orders are still required before the output approaches the pre-war level.