CONTINENTAL ENTERPRISE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16606, 9 December 1924, Page 9

CONTINENTAL ENTERPRISE.

COMPETES WITH BRITISH INDUSTRY.

Mil K. MeLEAY'S IMPRESSES.

The industrial outlook in England,, particularly as regards shipbuilding, is not bright, according to Mr. K. McLeay, manager of Richardson and Co., Ltd., who was interviewed by the Napier Telegraph upon' bis leturii from abroad.

While in Britain Mr. McLeay purchased the ' steamers CJlenside and Sunuyhill, the former of. which is alleady operating in the New Zealand coastal trade, for his h'rni, and had ample opportunity to observe industrial conditions at important English and Scottish shipyards. Thus, at the Clyde, he saw a typical instance of the manner in 'which' keen Continental competition is beating British industry. A steamer bad suffered badly in a maritime mishap, aud' tendeio for repair and reconstruction were called for. As she was at the Clyde wheu the accident occurred it might naturally have been supposed that local shipyards could have tendered successful Iv. DUTCH CONTRACTORS. But in actual faet a Dutch concern sent, in the lowest quote, and this despite the fact that to their contract price for the actual job had to be added heavy towage rates, insurance, and similar charges involved bv taking the vessel to their yards in Holland. In spite of the handicap such extra expense involved 1 the Dutch firm was able to beat 01ydl> tenderer*. Continental competition, said Mi*. McLeay, wa,s keen opposition because hours were long and wages low. The Dutch firm above mentioned worked its lianas 12 hours a day, and paid 1 them Mages tin English workman would', not look at. Moreover, tho Dutch Government paid lo firms employing extra men for big contracts half the unemployment dole that would otherwise have been paid to the men out of work. In effect, the Dutch were subsidising industry.