AMERICAN INDUSTRY

Southland Times, Issue 19986, 28 September 1926, Page 7

AMERICAN INDUSTRY

AUSTRALIAN MISSION’S VISIT. METHODS TO BE STUDIED. Washington, September 26. The American Government has received a report of a projected Australian industrial mission to the United States, accompanied by the text of Mr Bruce’s address, and they have been very favourably commented upon. The Department of Commerce representatives have already assured the Australian Government of keen interest here, and when details of the date of arrival and personnel of the delegation are obtained, instructions will be given to district offices of the Department in various parts of the United States to arrange for the visitors’ inspection of factories and institutions wherein they may be interested. International experts here, cognisant of industrial conditions both in Australia and the United States, have - given some study to particular phases of American industrial activity which may be of general interest to the mission.

It is understood that the general methods of mass production used in the United States may not be applicable to Australia, which lacks the tremendous consuming population existing in America. It is consequently supposed that the Australian study will be along different lines from those of the British, German, and other foreign observers who studied American industrial organisation during the past summer. Experts here states that the following subjects which may be observed by the Australian visitors with great advantage:— First, plant management, which has been developed to a state of high efficiency, particularly as regards relations between foremen and workmen.

Second, the system of employee ownership. There is a growing tendency in the United States for employees to purchase stock and share in profits in concerns in which they are employed. Third, American marketing methods, especially the extension of the deferred payments plan of sale to retail consumers. Fourth, the American railway system, with its unusual facilities for inter-State distribution of products.— N.Z.