MODERN BUSINESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23080, 4 July 1938, Page 7

MODERN BUSINESS

USE OF MONOPLANE CONFERENCES IN AIR SAVING TIME IN TRANSPORT A day when the -world's business will be transacted in the air as well as on land was foreshadowed by a development described yesterday by Mr. R. Colquhoun, an executive of Broken Hill Proprietary Company, Limited. Mr. Colquhoun, who is on his fifth business visit to the Dominion, arrived at Auckland yesterday by the Awatea. Because of the increasing need for saving time in transport, the company has recently acquired a controlling interest in the Lockheed 12A monoplane Silver City for the use of its senior executive officers in travelling from one Australian centre to another. The machine, which has a speed of 226 miles an hour, lias been fitted up bo that conferences and discussions can be held during flights. Referring to the increase in the demand for iron and steel in Australia and the continuous construction of new plant by the company, Mr. Colquhoun quoted a recent statement by the managing director, Mr. Essington Lewis, that the industry had now established its claim to bo regarded as efficient and more than competitive with overseas countries with equivalent standards in hours and wages. Value o! the Industry This result was not merely the "artificial" outcome of a manipulation of exchange, as some contended, but basically was an indication that the industry was now commercially and economically sound, Mr. Colquhoun continued. To estimate the value of the industry to the Commonwealth it was necessary to determine whether it profitably sold its products at prices below landed cost of overseas products. A comparison of British and Australian prices showed that the Australian iron and steel consumer enjoyed a price advantage throughout the entire range of pre* ducts. In Australia's consumption of the output during 1937 of Broken Hill Proprietary and Australian Iron and Steel, Limited, which had recently been absorbed, there was a Baving to the Commonwealth of £3.385,000 over duty-free imports. On prices charged at the end of 1937 the production of Australian wire plants saved the community £700.000 a year, and the product of Stewart and Lloyd's pipe worka. during the same period Baved the consumer £IBO.OOO. . * Output From New Plant * It was the policy of the company first to supply the Australian and New Zealand demand. When that had been effectively catered for the company would, in view of' its low prices, be in a position to quote for requirements elsewhere. The new plant at Port Kembla and additions at Newcastle fyad considerably increased and in consequence the position of deliveries was steadily improving, Mr. Colquhoun added. Perhaps the position or very light sections and thin plates was not so good as other classes of steel, but the plate mill was being duplicated arid the new works should be in production in 12 to 18 months' time.