BRITISH TRADE.

Auckland Star, Issue 291, 9 December 1925, Page 8

BRITISH TRADE.

BETTER THAN REPORTED. ENGLISH VISITOR'S OPINION. SUPPLYING OVERSEAS MARKETS. (By Telegmph.—Special to " Sta?.") WELLINGTON, this day. Wrong conclusions have been formed about conditions in British industries, states Mr. David Hazel, a British business man and former London County councillor, who is paying a holiday visit to Now Zealand. "I left England on September 25," said Mr. Hazel. "At that time there were decided indications of improvements in trade. Since then I see by the cables that the unemployment figures have diminished considerably. I was surprised to see reports in the Australian Press as to the hopeless conditions in England. Many of the Australians who have visited England have arrived at wrong conclusions in regard to conditions, probably due to Press statements, which are inclined—often in the jiublic interest—to be exaggerated. It is true that employment conditions in England are not good, but this is due to the complete change of trade relationships with the Dominions and foreign countries. The loss of our export trade has meant an increase in unemployment in England, and new methods will be necessary before conditions can become normal. I realise that out Dominions, and especially Australia, which I have just visited, are manufacturing their own requirements more and more, and the same applies to foreign countries. England must, therefore, readjust her fiscal policy to meet the new needs. Dearth of Invest meats. "The financial position in England is perfectly sound, and the only difficulty is to find employment for idle money English investors, instead of investing funds in British manufacturing companies and in private concerns, are now obliged to seek overseas outlets. Aβ soon as trade relationships in the Old Country improve money will be available for all purposes and for all extensions that may be required for manufacturing and othei plants. It has been stated that the British manufacturer has lost the old pioneer spirit of developing the overseas markets, partly owing to unsatisfactory conditions in the Old Country, but this statement is quite incorrect. Firms are keen as ever to get overseas business, the only trouble is that there are toe many commercial travellers representing British manufacturers going out to the overseas markets to seek the limited business which is available. English motor car manufacturers are now taking steps to work along mass production lines in order to meet the demands foi greater output, and I noticed that in Australia this year there was a larger proportion of British cars imported than in former years."