BRITAIN’S TRADE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 December 1928, Page 5

BRITAIN’S TRADE

A QUIET YEAR. IMPROVED CONDITIONS. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association —United Service.) LONDON, Dec. 24. The prospects, measured by the hopes o:f a year ago, for 192 S are disappointing, according to- Mr Ebbisham, President of the Federation of Industries. There have not been any gains, but nevertheless there have not been losses. This is the quietest year since! -the Armistice. AYorld conditions are more settled, and disputes in Britain are notal>ly aibseait. • Tellerc bus been anatcriiifl. shrinkage in the adverse trade balance, and the regeneration and reorganisation of industry have -been undertaken which should .provide a basis for substantial results in 1929. Mr Hitchens, of Camell, Laird and Company, is despondent and does not see signs of a marked revival in steel. Orders are scarce, and prices keenly .cut. The chief hope -lies, he declares, in the recent important steps to; reorganise the industry. Far-reaching adjustments are- inevitable. Ship-building is similarly depressed. There are no signs of a solution. The capacity of British yards exceeds the demand. There is no indication ifchac the demand Will be sufficiently expanding. Mr Ben Tiliett believes' that if Britain presents a united front she can compete with America, France, or Germany, or all combined. The present peace conferences between the employers and the -trades unions constitute a genuine, gesture, toe says, and are capable of working wonderful changes for the country’s good and the betterment -of trade. Labour must be prepared to shoulder the increased responsibility which arises from a' bigger share in the industry. Labour is willing to co-operate under fair but there must be more trust and less suspicion. Good team work can, produce the progress everybody desires.