INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22822, 1 September 1937, Page 12

INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN

Statistics covering factory work in Great Britain show that in 1936, 551 new factories, giving employment to 53,000 workers, were opened. An improvement on the previous year is indicated, but exact comparison cannot be made, since the message which gives the 1936 figures does not say how many factories were closed. In 1935 510, giving employment to 49,750 workers, were opened, 1992 were extended, and 486 closed. Of the 1936 total of new factories 261 were opened in Greater London; in 1935 the number was 213. At first sight such figures appear to support the assertions frequently made that industry is deserting the north country and that the south is benefiting by extensive transfers of plant southward. In last year's report, covering the position in 1935, this theory was specifically denied. It stated eight new factories established in Greater London represented transfers from other areas, but there was no evidence of a drift of industry to the south. The net movement was in the other direction. There was a similar denial in the annual report by the Chief Inspector of Factories. In this document it was stated that industries which had increased rapidly during 1935, in whatever area they were established, included motorcar. cycle, and aircraft manufacture. Incidentally, it was remarked that in spite of mechanisation a sihortage of skilled men had been a serious handicap to progress. However, the main point is that all localities had shared in the revival of activity; dire predictions that the industrial north was doomed to become derelict arc being proved wrong. It shared the progress of 1936. The influence of the rearmament programme on heavy industry will undoubtedly have had a further revivifying effect this year.