PROSPERITY AHEAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 644, 22 April 1929, Page 11

PROSPERITY AHEAD

STATE OF ENGLAND TO-DAY MR. W. A. DONALD’S VIEWS “If the Conservative Party is returned to power at the next General Election, and carries on its steady progressive policy, England will enjoy a period of prosperity.” j This is the. personal opinion of Mr. 1 W. A. Donald, who arrived from Eugj land yesterday on the Rotorua to take j up a position as a director of the firm of A. B. Donald, Ltd. For the past 28 years, except for a visit to New Zealand four years ago. Mr. Donald has lived in England. After leaving Oxford he served with the Inniskilling Dragoons in France. For the past eight years he has practised at the Bar in London. In London Mr. Donald has been in close touch with political life, and has taken a great interest in the industrial situation. During the course of a chat he had some interesting observations to make on the state of affairs in England to-day. “There is not the slightest doubt that events have taken a turn for the better,” he said this morning. “I consider that the Derating Bill passed by the British Government is one of the greatest Bills of modern times. That is my personal opinion, but it is also the opinion of many of the big business men in England.” RELIEVING INDUSTRY In explaining the Bill, Mr. Donald said that it would relieve an overcharge on industry of between twenty and thirty million pounds. Big manufacturing businesses are to be relieved of rates, allowing them to compete with the foreign markets, and thus regain trade for England. In the past, manufacturing businesses had been rated whether they were making a profit or not, and consequently foreigners could produce goods at a much lower rate than prevailed in England. All industries, and agriculture, will benefit from the working of the Bill, which will not be in full operation, however, for a few years. Mr. Donald said there had been no valid criticism of the Bill in any shape or form from the Opposition. ENGLAND NOT DEAD “I do not believe those people who say that the Old Country is dead,” Mr. Donald went on. “She has a tremendous kick in her still. The great basic industries, such as steel, iron, and cotton, need to be more active. In Manchester new developments are taking place, and Qne can look for more development there. ‘‘lt is idle for any man to say that it is impossible for Mr. Baldwin to get back. His personal popularity in England is amazing. It all depends on the ‘flapper’ vote.” Mr. Donald said that the Prince of Wales made a great impression when he toured the coalfields, and this visit unquestionably did an immense amount of good. The coal industry recently had had an extraordinary and unexpected fillip. Large contracts, formerly held by foreigners, had expired, and these had been obtained by England again. There had been a big increase in the output from the coalfields, particularly in South Wales and Durham. Every attempt was being made in England to recapture her old trade, j and there were definite signs that she was succeeding. “If Mr. Baldwin returned, England will witness a great revival,” concluded Mr. Donald.