IMPROVING TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21398, 24 January 1933, Page 10

IMPROVING TRADE

OPTIMISM IN AUSTRALIA

GOOD PRODUCE SEASON BETTER WOOL PRICES A most optimistic feeling, reflected in improved business, exists throughout Australia, and particularly is this noticeable in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney, according to Mr. S. W. M. Stilling, New Zealand representative of tho Australian National Travel Association, who returned by the Monowai yesterday after a month of touring in the Commonwealth. The season for primary production has been outstanding. "There are thousands of bags of wheat stacked at railway yards ready for transport to silos and ships," said Mr. Stilling, "and the railways of all States are hard-pushed to provide adequate transportation. The season throughout Australia has been a bumper one, and record shipments are being made. China alone has made purchases of flour and wheat estimated at 1,000,000 tons. On passing through from Perth to Sydney by rail, except, of course, on the desert areas, one sees wheat everywhere, with its consequent activity and employment. Averages for Wool

"There is a decided improvement in wool prices and averages. Particularly is this so in New South Wales and Victoria. In New South Wales, for instance, tho average price during the first three days of last week's sales was 9d per lb., compared with 8.5 d per lb. for the previous week.

"Speaking generally of Australia's export trade, there is an all-round improvement. In New South Wales the first half of the current financial year, to December 31, shows a surplus of £2,203,837 sterling exports over imports. "Strangely enough, the place showing least signs of the depression is Kalgoorlie, where all the mines are working three shifts a day. There is no unemployment and houses are very scarce. Over £30,000 a week is being distributed in wages. Everybody is going about their work with a smile. There is no discontent. On the contrary, everybody is happy. "The tourist resorts throughout Australia were filled to capacity during the Christmas and New Year holidays, and the beaches were crowded. The Christinas shopping in all States is reported by retailers to have eclipsed all business since 1928, and, although there is a slight fall at the moment, it is felt that, generally, business has picked up definitely for the better. Improvements In Cities "The cricket matches played in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide have been the oause of much comment. When it is realised that in Melbourne over 68,000 people, and in Adelaide over 50,000, attended the matches, it will be seen what enthusiasm was shown. The day p;'ior to the commencement of the Adelaide match four special trains carried 900 people from Melbourne to Adelaide, the trains leaving the station within five minutes of each other. "It is nearly two years ago since I was in Sydney last, and the improvements that have taken place in Sydney, Melbourne, • Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane since then are remarkable. The traffic in Sydney has become most congested, but with the new traffic regulations, and underground railways now in good working order, the problem is gradually being solved. Little or no inconvenience is being caused the travelling public.".

"BUSINESS ON UP GRADE"

REPORTS OF PROGRESS GENERAL

"Everybody in Australia reports progress," said" Mr. A. E. Ford, manager to the Auckland Transport Board, who returned by the Monowai yesterday after a month spent on holiday in Australia. He visited Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and was in close touch with transport organisations. Business in Australia was definitely on the up grade, said Mr. Ford. The trades were experiencing better times and shopping was more brisk and better than last year. People in Parliament were speaking more hopefully.