TIMELY TOPICS

Northern Advocate, 15 June 1934, Page 4

TIMELY TOPICS

INDUSTRIAL CONTROL. | “1 believe we are moving, and | must move, in Hie direction of the intelligent control of industrial operations,’' said Prolessor John Hilton, in an’ address on “The Future of British Industry.” “Whether the bodv politic approves of it or not, whether the State takes a hand or not, industry itself will organise more and more for the suppression ot comnetition and the regulation oi industrial affairs according to deliberate policy and plan. The question, is who-j rher the time is ripe for an attempt! on the part of the' State to force the | pace: and whether' those- who would | be i'll positions of authority and P°w-| er in onr organised industries are at present in that state of grace which, would ensure that' ' the policy of the, industry was directed toward the general good.” ■ • - . cjs <V> ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW. Recent arrivals from Australia have commented upon Hie evidence of returning prosperity - (says the Wellington “Post”). .Another side of the picture is presented by Air R. A. Wright, who. saw,- -beneath- the business revival, much unemployment and distress. Tbe two pictures are not inconsistent. In a city so large as ,Sydnev even a substantial revival of business would not absorb all surplus labour. But one fact to which Air Wright draws attention has its lesson for this Dominion. Ho found living costs much higher, except for boots and clothing and. in foodstuffs, grapes. The tendency in Australia has been lo disregard such questions of cost, or at least fo consider them of minor importance if the interest of the producer is served. Thus butter lor the local market gives a much higher return than butter for export: and l)iore are other measures (embargoes and subsidies) to help other producers. Taken separately these items in a v be small; but. together they may I moan a measurable addition to living costs, and with the additions resulting from high exchange and high protection may placo a heavy load on the consumer. We cannot, overlook this when there are attempts by various in'terests to solve their own problems by price-arrangemenl devices which make the consumer pay. <♦> ■s> 4> WORDS OF WISDOM. Tie who has conferred a. kindness should bo siient; he who has received one should speak of it. —Seneca. <♦> <?> <•> TALE OF THE DAY. “Have yon any brothers?” “Only one!" “Only one? I asked your sister and she told mo - she had two! ”