ERA OF DEPRESSION

Southland Times, Issue 21195, 23 September 1930, Page 4

ERA OF DEPRESSION

CONDITIONS IN AUSTRALIA. MR D. J. WESNEY’S IMPRESSIONS. “The chief topic of conversation in Melbourne and Adelaide at present seems to be Sir Otto Niemeyer’s analysis of Australia’s financial position,” said Mr D. J. Wesney, president of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce yesterday. After five weeks’ stay in the Commonwealth Mr Wesney returned by the Maheno yesterday ._

“In Labour circles there has been quite an amount of talk about repudiating Australia’s debts,” he continued. "By far the majority of Australians are determined to meet the position and, if possible, take the shortest road back to prosperity. Although the various Premiers have decided to ask their Parliaments to balance the respective budget's, .in some States the Parliaments are not greeting the idea of retrenchment too kindly, No doubt industry and commerce are feeling!the depression. In South Australia, which' has a population , of 400,000, it is estimated that there are over 20,000 unemployed. As giving an indication of the position in Adelaide the Operative Bricklayers’ Society, which in normal times had a membership of 850, is now practically defunct, the Builders’ Labourers’ Union, which once had 1800 members, now has only a few hundred working. The Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners has 1,600 men on its register and about 800 are unehiployed. One of the largest and most powerful organizations in the State, the Coachmakers’ and Employees’ Federation, in August, 1927 had 7,302 male and female workers. At present there are 3,440 members in the union. Other industries are feeling the depression in a similar manner. Railways, tramways -and omnibus companies are all carrying less passengers and losses are piling up week after week.”. Port Adelaide was in the throes of the Communistic elements on the waterfront, Mr Wesney went on. For the past two years volunteer labourers had been escorted day by day by mounted police to and from work and during working hours the wharves were guarded. During the present strike, in which the timber workers were called out, quite considerable damage was done to motor vehicles and drivers by pickets. Since November, 1928, the strike had cost the State Government a dole of £12,000 a week and in itself it was a severe drag on the resources of the State. Unemployment Tax. A number of large businesses were experiencing difficulty in keeping their doors open. In some industries the turnover- was reduced to a quarter of normal. Legislation was now being enacted to levy 1/- in the pound on all wages in the State of South Australia. Practically no buildings were being erected. Probably one of the reasons for the economic depression fallirjj sb heavily on Adelaide was that it possessed the finest bitumenized and 'concrete road service in all directions he had ever seen. All over the Mount Lofty region the surfaces were particularly good with concrete channelling for miles. The danger posts and fences, some of which were continuous for miles, must have added considerably to the cost. The black and white paint was readily picked up by motor headlights when driving at night. Victoria was also feeling the pinch very severely, continued Mr Wesney. The railway deficit during the past two months was over £4,000,000 in spite of restricted train services. Business was extremely bad, but it was confidently expected, that although it might take years, Australia would recover.,

The same conditions existed in ■ Sydney, where the absorbing topics were the harbour bridge and Don Bradman. The bridge was undoubtedly a wonderful undertaking and a credit to those responsible. Although the time for opening the bridge was' fixed for early in 1932 doubts had been expressed whether the Government would find the necessary money to complete the approaches, which must have cost an enormous sum. Bradman naturally was the hero of Australia and already his name was being commercialized. Don Bradman cigarette-holders and ash.. trays and many other articles bearing the famous batsmari’s picture could be purchased.

“One evidence of the enormous ampunt of unemployment—the numbers of the unemployed are estimated to be over 100,000 -—is the comparative bareness of the streets, both from pedestrian and motor traffic, with previous visits I have made,” said Mr Wesney. “With it all, however, picture shows and theatres are still crowded night after night although, judging by newspaper report, race meetings arc not so largely patronized as before. Bluff-Melbourne Service. “In regard to the Bluff-Melbourne service I consider that a broad view of the matter has not been takeir by those who are pressing for. its discontinuance,” said Mr Wesney. “It may take many months, perhaps a year or,two, to place the service

upon the footing- that existed in pre-war days. With'more favourable tariff conditions it is my opinion that trade between the South Island ports and Melbourne would be considerably stimulated. The New Zealand tourist agent in Melbourne is receiving more inquiries for the South Island trip than has been the case for many years, and it would appear that prospects are excellent for a large influx of tourists during the coming season.” - The financial stringency in Australia had rather curtailed the expenditure upf -;sqrue. people who were seeking an avenue to spend some of their money in New Zealand, Mr Wesney remarked. It would be an extremely retrograde step just at this time to do anything to disturb a gradually developing trade. The new sixteen-day Mel-bourne-South Island-Melbournp service, with first class hotel accommodation, all rail and motor fares and meals en route for £33 was a special feature for those of limited purses and the extension of the trip was constantly being called for. The Union Company was to be congratulated on the regularity of the running between ports and the bill of fare provided .on the’ vessel. “It appears to me that the position is gradually developing and with the possibility of more trade reciprocity, the service should be a • payable proposition in the near future,” concluded Mr Wesney.