AUSTRALIA TODAY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 87, 6 January 1940, Page 13

AUSTRALIA TODAY

Overseas Trade Shows Marked Increase MANY REFUGEES It is expected that, there Will be an increase of £19.000,600 in the overseas trade of Australia within the next twelve months. Such was the conviction expressed yesterday by Mr. A. K. Anderson, headmaster of Scots College. Sydney, and formerly head-master of St. Andrew's College, Christchurch, who, with his wife and daughter, is on a holiday visit to New Zealand. Mr. Anderson said that -the favourable factors in Australian trade wore the metal trade, food, drink, tobacco, the heavier electrical equipment, clothing, and boots, and the metropolitan building permits were more than at this time last year. In one State the heavy metal engineering trade was down, and business with motor bodies and parts had decreased in one or two other States.

Employment in factories generally in Australia was lower, but the unemployment figures in New South Wales were improving. Bank deposits showed an increase of £7.060.000. Overseas trade was liable to dislocation, but though some factories were closing down others were opening—the million pound motor-car industry that was opening in New South Wales, for instance. From the -trend of the exports, it was thought that in the next year’s overseas trade there would be a general increase of £19,000.000. Most parts of New South Wales had had bountiful rains this year, continued Mr. Anderson, except the northwest, whore some areas were very dry, stock was being hand fed, and the grasshopper pes't was making its appearance.

Referring to the war, Mr. Anderson said the farewell march of the Australian troops would be watched by seven Australian generals. Recruiting was in a very healthy condition, and the Lord Mayor’s comforts fund now stood at £43,000. Christmas trade was a record in Australia, and New Year’s Day was marked by great jollity. There was the utmost confidence in the cause of the Allies, and Australia’s part in it, and admiration for New Zealand airmen and the exploits of H.M.S. Achilles. Mr. Menzies was doing a great job in the political field, and it was said that there was a distinct prospect of a coalition. Influx of Refugees. The influx of refugees from Europe, mostly Hungarians, Czechoslovakians, and Austrians, was making itself felt. At Scots College, which had 1 a roll of 656, there had' been several applications ■for masterships, said Mr. Anderson. There were many highly-qualified men available, men, however, -whom one could not employ to displace an Australian. There were about eight boys from Europe at -the school, all lads of good families with means, and boys of a fine stamp. They had been a strength to the school and in no way a weakness. Four of them were excelling as scholars, one topping the third year of 120 boys. Only one or two of them had a fluent knowledge of English, the others not beginning the study of the language till they stepped on the steamer for Australia. They rapidly acquired the tongue, however, and one of them topped his form and passed the intermediate examination in English after only four months. 'There were about 1000 Hungarians in Sydney, not all, of course, refugees. A number of -the recent arrivals were people with means who were establishing industries, new industries, that: would not affect existing trades. One man had l established’ a factory that would later employ 250 Australians. Before leaving Australia, Mr. Anderson attended the funeral of Mr. H. S. Dettman, -head-master of the Sydney Grammar School, and. formerly Professor of Classics in Auckland University College. Mr. Anderson left last night for Christchurch and Dunedin.