BRITISH TRADER

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 58, 12 March 1929, Page 12

BRITISH TRADER

COMMITTEE'S REPOR*

MANY RECOMMENDATIONS

MINORITY DIFFERS

Dnlted Prea« Assoclatlon-rßy Slectrlo Til*

craph—Copyrleht :/".y: Australian Press Association—United Serrlet. (Received 12th March; 2 p.m.)

LONDON, 11th March,

Just as Jlio ; "Big Four" Economic Mission found a circle in Australia^ tko flnal report of tho Committee, da Industry and Trade, appointed in 1924, under the chairmanship of' Sir Arthur Balfour, finds a vicious circle checV^jg the revival of British industry. Depressed industries cannot be restored without fresh capital, which cannot bo attracted, except after restoration to healthy conditions. The report does not believe that even the most depressed basic industries lack power within themselves to take the first measures towards regeneration, if convinced they are necessary, in the shape of reorganisation, involving the writing down of capital, amalgamations, and unproved handling of overseas markets/ llie latter needs thorough reconditioning. ' Trade has been lost through manufacturers' lack of a more careful selection of agents. It is most essential that heads of firms visit overseas markets and give increased attention to salesmanship. The initiative and reorganisation must come from the industry itself.- The State could only ease the difficulties of transition. Discussing industrial peace, the committee declares itself opposed to compulsory arbitration or legislation similar to the Canadian Industrial Digputes Act, and favours works committees for all large industrial undertakings. It does not recommend a permanent national industrial council, but approves of periodic national conferences of employers' and employees' organisations. It tentatively advocates the gradual extension of the minimum school-leaving age to fifteen. The Labour members of the committee, m an appendix, state that tho main report is inadequate to the country's serious situation, which is not remediable by private enterprise and free competition. They believe that the necessary reorganisation and co-operation* is unattainable without the State's initiating activity and support. The minority recommends the appointment of Na. tional Economic Committee and Employment Development Board: (IV To survey the economic situation nationalV> y) to map out reconstruction-in conjunction with representatives of the T?!° yS«VIl!' also favours the repeal o± the M'Kenna safeguarding duties