INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24369, 22 September 1944, Page 4

INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA

POST-WAR PROBLEMS

USE OF WAR FACTORIES

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 21. The possibilities of increased trade between New Zealand and Australia after the war were investigated during the visit to the Commonwealth of Mr A. O. Heany, secretary of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand, who returned to Auckland by flying-boat Mr Heany also studied plans for post-war rural and industrial reconstruction. . “Australia’s conception of her industrial future has expanded enormously as a result of her experience in the production of implements of war,” said Mr Heany. At present strict controls over materials and manpower were being exercised. Although’some firms with completed war contracts were looking' again at export markets, permission for them to return to their former type of production was conditional on their meeting- Australia’s internal needs before export could be entered into.

Until the wider powers referendum last month, industrial plans were largely held in suspense because on the result of the vote depended whether it was to be Government or private enterprise that would do the job, said Mr Heany. The result of the vote meant that private enterprise was, now naturally becoming freer and firmer in its own plans. The extent to which Australia would actually go into large scale new production after the war was close!:' tied up with the ei .ect of the Atlantic Charter and associated international trade and monetary arrangements on her tariff structure, said Mr Heany. The desperate need of export markets by Britain. Australia’s chief customer, was also a great factor. Australia’s greatest problem was to what use she could put the tremendous amount of plant and machine tools left her as a result of war production.