IMPROVEMENT IN TRADE

Evening Star, Issue 21632, 30 January 1934, Page 7

IMPROVEMENT IN TRADE

A GENERAL RECOVERY NOTED

NEW ZEALAND'S TASK A great industrial concern with 20U branches all over the world is naturally a very accurate barometer of world conditions and the the Hon. Lewis J., ti. Clifford, chairman of directors of the Hume Pipe and Hume Steel Company, the headquarters of which are in Australia, who is now visiting , New Zealand on .business, brings with him cheering tidings ot general recovery from the effects of the world-wide depression. Mr Clifford, who is the son of Baron Clifford of Ghudleigh, told a representative of the Christchurch ‘ Press ; that business in Australia was very much improved, as was shown by the fact that the linn’s figures wore up 100 per cent, for the last year. With the rise in the price of wool it was confidently expected that there would shortly be an even larger increase. ■ Mr Clifford was not so optimistic concerning New Zealand, where recovery appears to him to be much slower than in Australia. Business conditions here, however, also have improved, and he expects that the rise in the price of wool will have a wonderfully stimulating effect throughout the commercial life of the dominion. “THE DOMINION’S BURDEN.”

“ One of the bjggest burdens this country lias to carry is its number of politicians • and public servants, which is greater than that of any other country;; in the world,” said Mr Clifford in discussing, the prospects-of recovery in New Zealand. “The remark of Jefferson that ‘ The country that is best governed is the country that is the least governed’ is one of the truest that has ever been made. Whatever might be the advantages of such a condition in normal times, in periods such as the present the resultant interference . with ' private enterprise hampers the progress of, the country.” Mr Clifford said that under such conditions higher taxation was necessary, undoubtedly a hindrance to the process of recovery.. The .rise in the price of wool in Australia’from £8 to £2O a bale was regarded as a sure sign of better times, and it was expected that there would he' a general resultant expansion of business. The Federal and State Governments were his firm’s largest clients and of course their restriction of expenditure during' the,' • depression had a very marked effect on the firm’s finances. The 1 company, however, had had the distinction of getting through the depression without a loss in any one year; and now, with improvement in general conditions, its figures were showing a remarkable rise. A GROWING INDUSTRY. Dealing ■ with developments in the pipe and steel industry, Mr Clifford said that, process had been revolutionised ■b® the increased application _of welding,. ’which was rapidly becoming one of the world's largest industries. It' was replacing riveting in _ the construction of ships : and buildings, and was, recognised to provide a stronger and lighter , job and in addition to save material. It had been stated at a recent',conference in the United States that welding' was now the eighth largest: industry in America, while a few years < ago; it would have been one. of the lowest on, (the scale. ; Modern firms Wpre ■ doing .their utmost to Wep abreast with the latest developments, .and, thoso - with world-wide ramifications had organisations for exchange of views and ■ experiences. ■ Mr Clifford will reach Dunedin this week in connection with a contract for thirty-six miles of steel piping in the city’s' water supply.