A BUSINESS TRIP TO THE UNITED STATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2425, 5 September 1900, Page 43

A BUSINESS TRIP TO THE UNITED STATE.

INTERESTING- INTERVIEW WITH MR

FRANK OAKDEN.

Mr Frank Oakden, manager of the Milburn Lime and Cement Company, returned on Friday last from a short trip to the United States, whither he went to purchase some additional plant to enable the company to increase its output. The demand for "the Milburn Company's products have so steadily increased during the past few years that the present plant has become almost inadequate to cope with the expansion of tiade. About three years ago the company laid down plant which they thought would be sufficient) ior some years to come, but the improved quality of the cement this machinery turned otit brought in so much new business that it was found necessary to double tie size of the works. Mr Oakden accordingly went to America to make arrangements ior the shipping of the new machinery required, returning as abovementioned. Un Saturday morning a representative of this paper called op. iir Oakden, who readily agreed to supply some information about hio tr:p.

" L left here on Juno 8/' said Mr Oakden, '" and was about 40 days in the States. The first item of moment oucuried at Honolulu. When the Moana arrived there the captain was informed that neither pa?senger,s nor cargo would be allowed to be taken on board for B an Jb'raneisco, owing to- the United States having- taken over the Hawaiian Islands, and an old (Jnited States law prohibiting foreign vessels trading on tbeir coast had become operative in the^e islands, although 2000 miles c!:s"ant from that c^a't. it can easily bo imagined how humiliating it was for .British s ibjects to see fellow Britishers on the Honolulu wharf, and yet be debarred from the privilege ot going on board a ship flying the British flag ! After we got under weigh again, I convened a meeting of Xew Zcalanders, which wa-, readily attended by our fellow passengers, and lor a quarter of an hour some very plain speukmg was indulged in. We decided immediately on arrival at San Francisco to cable the facts to the Press Association and to forward a protest to the Hon. J. G. Ward," pointing out the injustice. Two days after the cable had been sent 'it was returned to San Francisco by the Press Association (although signed by myself and ilr Shirtcliffc, of A. 8. Paterson and' Co.), marked '■Unknown," and they declined to publislwt. We returned it again to New Zealand. Whether it was ever published we do not know. Apart from the expense of the cable, we were exceedingly annoyed that the Press Association should take such a stand, as they might easily have published the message, stating that they did so for what it was worth, and without taking any responsibility for it. Wherever I travelled in the States, I freely discussed this matter with Americans of all shades . of opinion, and rarely found a man who was aware that such a law existed. Neither in a single instance did I find an American who endorsed that policy. All the trend of their literature and newspapers, as far as I could judge, is in the direction of crying out for an open door policy and freedom of trade with the world ; and yet the first scap of territory they annex they proceed to close up to outside countries. Of course, in the meantime the consideration involved is a small matter, but if such a policy is encouraged I cannot help thinking it will lead to serious complications in the future. If a firm stand is made at the present time, thp Americans are quite cute enough to realise that they are playing a losing hand, and they will see that it is against their interests to pursue such a policy. Not only New Zealanders, but Australians, are aware of this, and have the matter thoroughly at heart, and are prepared «to do their utmost, even to tho length of submitting to an inferior mail service, in preference to encouraging the San Francisco service run on such lines. One cannot help thinking that the shipping companies had a knowledge of -this legislation, and that they have taken advantage of a law that was never intended to operate outside the United States. I feel quite satisfied that the New Zealand Government, as well as the Australian Governments, are sufficiently loyal to the flag to promptly discourage this onesided policy. I have no doubt that the outcome of it will be that we shall obtain a superior service via Vancouver. It is thought in some quarters that if the Vancouver service is puL on a proper footing it will end in proving a belter service than that via San Francisco, owing to the shortening of the sea trip across the Atlantic.

"My time in the States," continued Mr Oakden, " was almost wholly occupied in inspecting- cement works and the modern system of cement making in that country. I found that it bad revolutionised the cement trade of the world. When I was in America nine years ago the Americans admitted that they were practically beaten in cement-mak-ing owing to the labour conditions prevailing on the Continent and in England ; that was, if they followed the Fame lines of manufactiue. So they commenced to launch out in a novel method of manufacture, following their earlier lines of making the process as automatic as possible, recognising that their only chance was to save labour. The rate of wages in the (States is similar to that prevailing m New Zealand, with the exception that they work 10 or 12 hours a daj--, while we work eight hoiirs. I think that a very short lime will elapse before they follow our lead in reducing the hours of labour. I was thoroughly satisfied on investigating their process of cement-making that it was a suitable one to adopt in this country- The product is not only cheapened, but is turned out a superior article. This has been recognised in Kurope also, and a number of Continental and English makers have already visited the States and made arrangements for the export of lrachinery to their respective works. I cannot describe the process to you — it is patented, — but it is sufficient to say that in the course of a few months we hope our industry will bo placed in o very much more favourable position. The plant I purchased will leave New York by the Tomoana on the 20th of this month, and in the meantime all progress possible will be made in preparing" the necessary foundations and buildings for it, so that the new plant may be erected and started with as little delay as possible. "In manufacture in the States the general principle seems to be that whenever a machine or a process is superseded, it is to be thrown out at once, and the latest and best installed. If a manufacturer thinks he can save money and increase his output by discarding his old machinery, out it goes on the scrap heap, even though it cost thousands of pounds. Their idea is : ' The best pays best.'

"From a business point of view, I am well satisfied with my trip. The climatio conditions were very unfavourable. I experienced four weeks of the worst heat, day and night, I have ever known. The temperature and humidity were exceedingly high. It was quite -

a common thing to have 95deg of heat and 30deg to 87deg of humidity, 100 being the maximum the air can possibly contain. There were 147 deaths from heat prostration in New York during that heat wave.

" To mention New Zealand in the States instantly creates interest. The Americans all seemed to-be keenly anxious to obtain information, not only of the country, but of its laws, particularly the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, the Old-age Pensions Act. Labour legislation, ancl so forth. The labour problem is rapidly becoming serious in the United Stales. Last year in Chicago ths building trade was completely stopped. The demands of the men were so great that the employers refused to consider them, and rather than be harassed by the persistent demands of the unions they locked the men out. A similar state of things existed in St. Louis among the traniway employees, many of whom resorted to the most violent methods to prevent the "blacklegs" from replacing them. In chatting with working men, I found that there was a general feeling in favour of reducing the hours of labour.

" I had not much time to study the social life of American cities. One interesting custom which is rapidly coming into vogue is cremation. I had an opportunity of inspecting the whole process, and could not help feeling that there was a great deal to recommend in it. The whole ceremony, from the time the coffin is received at the chapel where the service is held, till it is put into the incinerating chamber, is far less gloomy than the ordinary burial service that we are familiar with. The relatives of the deceased may on the c"ay following the cremation obtain ~ the ashes, which are swept up and placed in a copper canister, with a certificate that they are* the remains of so and so, whoever he or she may be. I brought back a pamphlet describing the methods and cost of cremation, from which I think you may be able to make some interesting extracts, if you care to do ho.

" American cities have gone ahead wonderfully since my previous visit. Chicago has now a population of over 2,000,000, and Philadelphia about the same. Every American town has its tramway system, and transportation from town to town is frequently made by electric tramways run by tte overhead system. I think you can go 150 miles in places by trams if you like. A series cf towns are connected by trams instead of by trains, travelling about 15 miles an hour. The system is fast, cheap, and is practically independent of grades, making light work of 1 in 15. or even 1 in 12. They are now changing the cable system in Broadway to the electric trolly system, and when complete this will be a very fine installation. Chicago has elevated train services and cable and electric tramways.

" Generally speaking, the better class American is very warmly, disposed to Great Britain and her colonies, and quite supported our policy in regard to the^Boer war."

After thanking Mr Oakden, the reporter withdrew.