QUEENSLAND’S PROSPERITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3645, 22 January 1924, Page 9

QUEENSLAND’S PROSPERITY.

AN ALL-ROUND lAIPROYEAIENT. AIR THEODORE OPTIAIISTIC. (Fp.om Otjr Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, January 14. An all-round improvement in the state of affairs in Queensland was revealed by Air E. G. Theodore (Premier), who arrived from Sydney this morning by the Niagara, en route to England. Mr Theodore reviewed some of the main causes affecting the prosperity of that State as he stood on the deck of the steamer, taking his first look at Auckland. As he discussed the trade and labour position he made frequent reference to a small booklet containing the latest commonwealth statistics, and his remarks showed that Queensland now enjoyed a prosperous position among the six States. “Queensland now has a population of 810,000,” said Air “and the net immigration over emigration has been greater recently than in any other State. For the first six months of 1923 the excess was 10,830. Three of the other States in the same period actually lost population, showing an excess of emigration over immigration.” Indicating the increasing prosperity of the State, Air Theodore said: “We have the highest savings bank deposits in Australia. the average for each depositor being £57 11s. Tasmania has the lowest with £35. Weekly wages and weekly hours also show decidedly in Queensland’s favour. Although the highest wages are paid and the shortest hours are worked, yet the margin of profits in the manufacturing industries is the highest in Australia. The working week averages 45£ hours, and the basic wage, determined by the Arbitration Court, is £4. “Pastoral industries are still the most important in Queensland. Wool is the most valuable product, the value of the clip for the last two years being £10,000,000 per annum. The yearly sugar crop is valued at approximately £7,000,000. Manufacturers add £15,000,000 to the value of the Queensland products, and the yearly output of the factories amounts to £40,000,000.