BUSINESS BETTER

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 137, 11 June 1936, Page 10

BUSINESS BETTER

IMPROVEMENT XOTED BEST FOR SOME YEARS "There is a definite improvement in business generally, right throughout the Dominion,", said the Hon. D. G. Sul- i livan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, in an interview today. "The .officers of my Department in the four main centres are in very close touch with all sections of commercial activity, and their reports are in line with the information which reaches me from other sources, which is to the effect that improvement is - being ex- j perienced on all sides. ' "A typical report from one of my , district officers states that manufac- j turing concerns, wholesale traders, and retail establishments each report im- ' proved conditions, and that better ' sales have been- experienced over the ! past few months than for several years, J many firms having reached a point en- ' joyed in pre-depression years. ] "A striking feature is that there is an increased demand for the better quality article, which indicates that the spend- i ing power of the public has improved, j and with this' improvement there is a ■ [ desire to purchase better quality goods. ■ BUILDING ACTIVITY. ! "The activity in the building industry is most marked. Private dwellings j of modern design, blocks of flats, commercial buildings, factories, and shops are being erected in all centres and in the cities it is particularly noticeable that many old buildings are being demolished to be replaced by modern buildings. "The improvement is not confined to building, but is spread over practically all industries. Oil and colour, hardware, plumbing, lime and cement, cabinetmaking, engineering, footwear, clothing, sawmilling, and numerous other lines are showing much ' better results, and there is every indication that this will continue. "This is most encouraging, and it is an effective reply to those who, to suit their own purposes, insist that there is a lack of confidence in business today and that the present Government's policy spells ruin and disaster. "I. am satisfied that there is more real confidence and optihiism in New Zealand today than there has been at any time since the commencement of those years that are referred to as 'the depression,'" concluded the Minister, "and I am equally certain that this spirit will be even more marked when the full effect of our policy is felt right throughout the Dominion."