INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 44

INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA

MR J. A. BROWN’S VIEWS. (Fbom Oub Own Cobbesfondbnt.) AUCKLAND, March 4. Industrial development in Australia was the subject of an interview to-day with Mr J. A. Brown (Dunedin). lie stated that the Australians had succeeded in establishing many industries of importance which prior to the war were practically unthought of. There was no doubt that difficulties in obtaining urgent requirements from Great Britain had led to the development of a great many industries which otherwise would never have been attempted. Then, too, the success that had attended any of the old-established manufacturing concerns in the commonwealth, within recent years, had given considerable impetus to other ventures of more recent origin. The idea that pervaded the country was that Australia should become self-supporting, and in addition develop an export trade of locally-manufactured goods. As regards agricultural implements, steel, iron, wire, copper, brass, and aluminium supplies, the commonwealth was becoming a serious competitor with older countries, from which Now Zealand was in the habit of securing her requirements. Mr Brown expressed the opinion that Australian manufacturers would be able in the near future to not only cope with the expanding internal trade of their country, but also to mcrease their export trade very considerably. “ What impressed me beyond all other things,” said Mr Brown, was the propaganda against the importation of foreignmade goods. It is not uncommon to see placards posted in factories setting out the quantity of goods imported from Japan and other foreign countries. Then follows the question : ' Why can’t Australia make her own goods?” These methods have awakened a sentiment in favour of local industry unknown a decade ago. Asked if the. ‘ Australian sentiment ” was meeting with any opposition from large importing houses, Mr Brown replied : “ On the contrary, many large importers ore now turning their attention to manufacturing. The d.fficiilty experienced in having their bibs discounted in London has forced them to utilise the resources of their own country, and to Australia’s credit, he it said, when she could not secure her supplies from Great Britain, rather than import from foreigners she resolved to speed up her own industries. To such an extent have the manufactures of tha commonwealth succeeded, in meeting tha changed conditions that in addition to capturing the local trade, formerly monopolised by foreign countries, they are now competing with a largo measure of success against those countries in export trade to tha United States of America, South America, South Africa, and New Zealand. The exports comprise pumps. agricultural implements, hoots and clothing, the exports to Now Zealand last year totalling over £5.000.000.” The question of financing new industrial enterprises was referred to by Mr Brown, who stated* that the Australian banks were ever ready to assist sound manufacturing propositions. TTe stated that millions of pounds had been advanced in thi3 direction by banks, and the Commonwealth Government now advanced up to £2COO to manufacturers to assist in the development of industries.