CONDITIONS IN AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 19389, 15 August 1928, Page 10

CONDITIONS IN AUSTRALIA.

AUCKLAND ACCOUNTANT'S IMPRESSIONS. [THE PBEBB Bpedal Service.] AUCKLAND, August 14. "No matter where you go in Sydney—warehouse or retail shops—you hear the same cry, 'Things are dead,' yet building is going on apacei Why, even on the morning we left it was announced in the papers that two building contracts had been let for £1,000,000. A new theatre costing £600,000 is to bo built, and the reconstruction of Anthony Hordern's will cost close on £400,000," said Mr A. H. Gillies, public accountant, who returned by the Marama this .morning after a six weeks' visit to Australia. "It appears as if Sydneyites are pleasure mad, and the theatres are packed nightly," added Mr Gillies. "Sydney's night life is becoming more and more prominent, and yet for legitimate business there is very little money about. Things are much worse in Mel*>urne, where the unemployment problem is causing much concern. There they have had to institute the soup kitchen and bread-line. The authorities are, at their wits' end to know what to do. But, generally speaking, prospects appear to be bright. There is every indication that they will have a splendid wool season, and as far as grain is concerned, record yields are anticipated/'

COIL FIBRE. SATISFACTORY MATERIAL. (TOWED PBESS ASSOaiTIOK—BT BWCTEIC . TELEGBA.PH—COPTOIOHT.) LONDON, August 13. Mr Van Cooth has returned from Belfast. He was very pleased with the results of the experiments with the "coil fibre" materials. Samples produced indicate that the new material, when woven and calendered under from 50 to 70 tons pressure, results in bagging material, which would be most useful for all-round commodities, not only m wool-packs, but also in wheat bags, coal sacks, potato bags, and cement bags. Experts are favourably impressed with the possibilities. .... Mr Yah'Cooth claims that coil fabrics can-compete, in both quality and price against imported jute fabrics anywhere. Mechanical Spinning of coil yarns would be of the utmost-value in the Pacific Islands and mandated territories, and would provide work for hundreds of people in Australia and other Dominions.—Australian Press Association.

SWISS-MADE WATCHES. ENQUIRY INTO COST PRICES. (TOTTED HUMS iSSOCUTIOM—BT BXECTBIO TKUBOBAPH—COF3HIOHT.) . (Eeceivea August 14th, 7.10 p,m.) LONDON, August /'U. •- The: Geneva~>obrreßppndeni :bf. r - the ''Daily Express' * stateß that the Australian and American business men have arrived in Switzerland with the object of ascertaining the real value; and the cost price of watches- exported to their countries. The . manufacturers resent the intrusion and the • business, men, in reply, state that if permission to inspect the matchmaking factories is not granted they will advise, a prohibition on the import of Swiss goods into their countries.—Australian Press Association^.