ROAD OF RECOVERY IN BRITAIN WILL BE LONG AND HARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26958, 18 December 1948, Page 8

ROAD OF RECOVERY IN BRITAIN WILL BE LONG AND HARD

Daily Times Special Service AUCKLAND, Dec. 17.

Many of the businessmen who returned to New Zealand on the Ceramic said they were ‘impressed with the economic and industrial revival in the United Kingdom. An optimistic view Of industrial expansion in Britain was taken by Mr H. T. Elwell, senior representative of a large group of steel manufacturers in Britain. He said markets were gradually favouring ihe buyer and the quality of products was reaching the standards achieved before the war.

“It is important that we should remember that' Germany is not a competitor with Britain.” Mr Elwell said. “ However. I am certain she will be some day, particularly in markets such as South Africa.”

There was ample evidence to show that industry and trade in Britain were recovering, said Mr C. V. Mark, former London manager of th,e New Zealand Insurance Company. The road was long and difficult, reconstruction was a big task and he thought it would take 20 years or longer to rebuild London. He noticed that the clothing position had improved in the last year and people generally were better dressed. Several of the businessmen interviewed criticised the system of Government controls operating ip British industry at present. Mr D. A. Ewen, of Wellington, found that manufacturers .were feeling frustrated. There were complaints about too much .planning and controlling and of-individual effort being stultified. He said the cotton spinners claimed that because of bulk purchases they could not obtain the blends they wanted for making the clothes in which they built up their best foreign markets. Heavy taxation was cramping industry generally.