AUSTRALIA’S RECOVERY

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 March 1933, Page 2

AUSTRALIA’S RECOVERY

MR J. FULLER’S OBSERVATIONS

The recovery of industrial and commercial conditions in Australia was discussed by Mr John Fuller, of Sydney, in an interview with a Dunedin ‘Star’ reporter. Mr Fuller is at present on one of his periodical tours of his firm’s Dominion theatre interests.

Australians seemed to be adopting the attitude that it was no good being down in the dumps, and they were modernising their business ways to meet the times. Chambers of commerce and chambers of manufacturers had changed their conservative attitude and brought themselves more into line with the American chambers of commerce by seeking conferences in regard to the expansion of trade. The Australian manufacturer was now reaching the point of excellence where he could export with pride and profit. His goods were standing the tests of time and refinement and make-up, and he was able to compete with outside countries. Only recently the subject of trade with the East was discussed by . a big conference embracing all Australian chambers of commerce and manufacturers and alert politicians. From that conference a strong committee was appointed, and there was no doubt that they would stop at nothing to see that Australia had its rights in regard to trade in the Far East -and countries nearer the Commonwealth. Australia was handicapped in being such a long and broad country, but the extension of commercial flying was making the Commonwealth very compact for business purposes as well as for other purposes, said Mr Fuller. It was generally thought that if the trade barriers were lowered it would make little difference, as the manufacturers and workmen were lucky in having started with up-to-date machinery and in not. having had to scrap obsolete plant. Everything seemed to have worked their way. The. trade barriers could be lowered without disadvantage to the Australians, because the greatest competitor was the competitor within the country. That gave the public a wonderful deal in the purchase of goods in general. The limit of taxation had been reached in Australia. Though successful in the loan conversion, the success was not so deserved as was the New Zealand conversion. There was so much duplication of government and taxation that some reform should have been insisted on by the bondholders in Australia before they consented to a lower rate of interest. From his observations, the New Zealand Government had done everything "to lower the cost of government, and in consequence the loan conversion should meet with a sympathetic response. The sacrifices, he felt sure, would be cheerfully borne by New Zealanders, who would be starling a. new era of prosperity for the Dominion. When Mr Scullin’s Labour Government imposed the sales tax business seemed lo be paralysed for six weeks, said Mr Fuller. The lax was noi popular in Australia, but the public, was now making the sacrifice for the sake, of the country, and the lax was not now felt. Il appeared Io have no adverse effect on business.

The pessimism in New Zealand was due to the public having been given a double dose of castor oil. If the Government had introduced its changes on a graduated principle instead of at once New Zealanders would not have been accused by visitors of appearing to be “down and out.” The west was over. Governments could impose no more taxation, and while there, was a. great question, and a proper one, in respect to the sanctity of contracts, of the maintenance of which New Zealanders were very proud, they should be more proud of tile .justice of contracts. New Zealand's tourist, traffic was much ahead of last season’s, the reason being (lie inducement to people to travel from Australia, in the splendid steamers now trading between the Dominion and the Commonwealth. JI. was a pity, Mr Fuller said, that, the South Island did not insist on over-

seas boats making Wellington their alternate port of call. Auckland was new t lie main port. If every other tra.ns-Tasman ship called at Wellington the South Island would have a big backwash of tourists, who now could not find the time to become impressed with Hie wonders of the South Island.