BRITISH INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 115, 18 May 1927, Page 7

BRITISH INDUSTRY

NEW METHODS NEEDED

(From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, 9tk April. Speaking at tho annual dinner of tho Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Sir A. Mond said: "We want new methods in industry and we also want new methods in finance. Unless some of the industries get together and arc rationalised on modern methods, unless they concentrate their plans and ruthlessly destroy antiquated and obsolete machinery, unless they introduce much more advanced methods of research, I fail to understand how they can expect to survive the modern competition of Germany and America.

"The average unit production of coke oven plant in this country is 300 tons, while in America some of their units are producing 10,000 tons. How can English glass furnaces expect to compete with American on that basis?"

With regard to the big chemical merger in which he is a leading figure, Sir Alfred Mond said: "I will lot you into a secret. We made that whole merger in only §ix weeks from start to finish. (Cheers.) Britain has got to to do these things unless we are to go under. There is no earthly reason why British industry should not continue to lead, and it win be our own fault if we allow ourselves to descend from the high pedestal on which in the past we have been placed."