AMERICAN INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 174, 24 June 1926, Page 7

AMERICAN INDUSTRY.

INSTRUCTIVE phases. VALUE OF CO-OPERATION. LESSON FOR BRITISH EMPIRE. NEW YORK, June 22. Sir James Elder, Australian Trade Commissioner, in a farewell address at the British Luncheon Club, said:— “There are many phases of life in the United States, particularly industrial, which Australia and the Empire might do well to closely study, and which point to a lesson we should heed. Tho wonderful prosperity Americans are enjoying is due to their particular psychology and the methods they have adopted in practically all their industrial activities. American industry is blessed in the possession of a wonderful home or domestic market. Factories hum, furnaces blaze, and riches are wrung from the earth for at least 144 out of every 168 hours, and where in any other part of the world can we see such educational and welfare work being carried on amongst the workers by employers, and where does such cooperation between Labour and Capital exist? '

“American workmen now firmly believe that the more labour-saving machinery is used the better it is, not only for the emploj r ers, but also for.the workmen themselves. The American employer pays well and believes in the principle of payment.by results. The hours of work have been decreased and the rates of pay raised, and extraordinary as is the co-operation between tho employer and the employee, in no less a mesaure is the co-operation between the various units of each industrial activity of the nation just as remarkable. It would almost seem as if most Americans have no secrets in their business, and they are willing io impart their knowledge to all inquirers whom they may consider deserving of their courtesy.

“There is a very clear understanding on the part of American industrial men of the benefits to be derived, individually and collectively, from honest, friendly, and frank co-operation. Every phase of the industrial life of America seems to he standardised, and mass production has greatly cheapened the output and materially lowered tho overhead charges. Americans desire to be our friends. They wish to know us better. Let us respond to the openhearted and generous hospitality of their flag. Let us get closer together, for American manhood as I have met it and understand it is of the quality that commands the highest respect, and is altogether worthy of the warmest response on the part of the citizens of the British Empire.—A. and N.Z. cable.