NEW PRODUCTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 23 June 1943, Page 6

NEW PRODUCTS

BRITISH INDUSTRY BUYING AND SELLING Reference to probable lines of British industrial development after the war was made by the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Sir Harry Batterbee, in an address to the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce last week. It would be idle not to recognise the fact, he said, that the period of the war had seen important industrial developments in countries to which British manufacturers formerly shipped their products. This fact would have to be faced when they were in a position to export freely again. “We shall, of course, seek to regain the trade we formerly enjoyed in what may be described as our staple exports,” said Sir Harry. “By this I mean such goods as textiles. metals, machinery, tools, chemicals, earthenware, glass, paper, motor-cars, tyres, and so on. But there will undoubtedly be many new products as the result of the scientific progress made during the war. To give a few examples, I may mention television, plastics, diesel engines optical glass, radio apparatus, etc. I think it will be found that Britain is in a position to hold her own when it becomes possible to export such articles in friendly rivalry with other countries. Trade does not remain static in its nature for long periods. Demands for something different are always arising. And as regards manufacturing developments in other countries, British manufacturers have been continually facing a similar situation for many years. It has been found the establishment of a new industry creates the demands of a new type to replace those being met from local production.” SEEKING RAW MATERIALS With the increased volume of world trade which the United Nations were seeking to promote after the war, Sir Harry Batterbee continued, a logical and desirable consequence would be an increased demand for raw materials and the tapping of sources which had not yet been exploited. This process in turn would produce a higher level of prosperity in the territories from which raw materials could be obtained, with a rise in the purchasing power and they might hope, an increased demand for some of the goods which Britain produces. “I think, therefore, that -I may conclude on a note of assurance that when the time comes the British manufacturer will be able to hold his own in the post-war markets of the world. During the war British workmen have shown their capacity for hard work, their inventive genius, and their adaptability to unforeseen conditions. These qualities will, I feel sure, enable them to make good in the new world. In the development of post-war trade Great Britain recognises to the full the need for international co-operation and friendly rivalry. She does not propose to follow any dog-in-the-magger policy, but by the operation of economic laws which she has no power to modify or control, her power to buy goods is conditioned by her power to sell. She will, in the post-war years, need your primary produce, sh e will wish to buy it, but she can only buy it if you buy goods from her.”