A NEW SPIRIT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 36, 20 August 1928, Page 17

A NEW SPIRIT

PIECEWORK AT HOME FACTORIES AND TRADE ME, BEALE IMPKESSED(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 27th June. My. L. B. Bcale, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for New Zealand, returned to London last week after Ms long tour of the North of England, Sootland, and Northern Ireland. During his absence from London he was interviewed by three hundred manufacturers, and ho visited thirty-five factories. He has now gone to the Midlands to visit Bradford, Huddersfield, Birmingham district, Coventry, and the potteries. Arrangements have been made to see two hundred manufacturers in these districts. Mr. Bealc is much impressed with what lie considers is an entirely new spirit in British industry. There is a decided decrease in the cost of production, while the high quality of the goods is fully maintained. "It is quite obvious," he said, "that Britain is rapidly becoming a competitor in every line with those countries with a lower standard of living. This has been brought about by a greater production of goods per man in a given time. Piecework lias greatly increased in the factories. The employees appreciate the change, and they j are working well, thereby increasing their standard of living. In one factory I visited there were 1500 men and boys at work turning out splendid articles at a great speed-. The whole place was beautifully runV 'How is it done' I asked, and I was told that every man and boy was on piecework. There is no doubt that people have begun to recognise that this is a fair method of reward. DOMINION PRODUCE WANTED. "One of the most pleasing things. I c .me across was the large number of importers who wanted more Now Zealand produce, particularly in Liverpool, Glasgow, and Manchester. They paid the highest tribute to the season's New Zealand fruit. It had never been received better packed, they said, nor in better condition. There is no doubt that the North of England and Scotland offers enormous possibilities for New Zealand produce. It was significant that half a dozen deputations comprising groups of leading importers waited on me to ask for more butter, meat, and fruit. "Everywhere I went business men common ted with pleasure on the remarkable showing New Zealand had made in production and export last year. One of the outstanding features of tho tour was the large number of manufacturers who expressed a desire to form connections with the Dominion. These were representatives not of the big firms who have long had their agents in New Zealand, but of firms who have hitherto been content with the domestic trade. Now, however, they are looking further afield, and they look to New Zealand as one of the most honourable and desirable markets in the world. Now Zealanders will in the very near future see many new and hitherto unknown British products in their shops and places of business. "Slimming up," said Mr. Beale, "in the immediate future you will see a big increase in Great Britain's purchases of New Zealand produce, and equally you will sec an increaso in Great Britain's exports to New Zealand based on good value and suitable goods, including motor-cars. Motor-cars arc now being made in the United Kingdom suitable for the Dominion trade at prices which the Dominion purchaser feels he can afford to pay."