RIGHT KIND OF OPTIMISM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16378, 28 June 1927, Page 5

RIGHT KIND OF OPTIMISM

AUSTRALIAN’S FAITH IN HIS OWN COUNTRY

MOTOR CARS TO BE BUILT IN COMMONWEALTH

“[ loft Australia for the United States three months ago, convinced that we could make motor-cars as good its those of America. I am now confident we can build better ones.” This statment was made in Auckland by the lion. D. J. Malone, M.L.C., of New South Wales, who is returning to Sydney on the Aorangi after investigations preparatory to opening

motor-car factory near Sydney

Mr. Malone, who is prominently connected with a large Sydney engineering concern, is enthusiastic about the prospects of this new Commonwealth venture, which has already taken the form of a company capitalised at £2,000,000. It is expected the company will produce its first machine in 11 months’ time. “1 left- Australia a 100 per cent. Australian, but I have returned a 200 per cent, patriot,” said Mr. Malone. His enthusiasm, he explained, was largely flue to his supreme confidence in the Australian workman. liis observations had led to the opinion that the Australian workman worked liardoi than tho American, and for less wages.

“Tho Americans have the money for such enterprises, but so have we if our people arc- patriotic enough to put it up,’’ lie said. “There is little unionism in any of the American motor-car factories,” added Mr, Malone. “The men are on piecework, and earn up to £2O a week on jobs for which the Australian is receiving about £6 a week. It. is oasy to see how under such conditions unionism is unnecessary, and we propi,so commencing operations on the piecework basis. “Ours will lie a six-cylinder car, modelled on the best features of four American cars, ami will sell for less than the £4OO class of motor with which it will be in competition. The manufacture will lie wholly Australian, nearly all the raw material being imported from England.” Mr. Malone said it was probable that when the venture was thoroughly established, an assembling plant would be established in New Zealand.