Australia’s Tariffs Make for Prosperity

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 963, 5 May 1930, Page 10

Australia’s Tariffs Make for Prosperity

ENLIVENED INDUSTRY MOVE BY OVERSEAS FIRMS TSie possibility of overseas manufacturers facing the Australian tariff situation by building and opening plants in Australia is to be exploited by Mr. Frank Goldberg, advertising agent, of Sydney, who is on his way to America, England and the Continent. Mr. Goldberg, who is passing through Auckland on the Aorangi, told The Sun this morning that the prospects for new industries in .Australia were bright, particularly in the hosiery and other industries, the products of which had been loaded with heavy duties. Already the plans of several firms were being made. Messrs. Godfrey Phillips, of London, cigarette manufacturers, were to issue their products from a factory within the borders of Australia and a plant worth £500,000 was being put down in Melbourne. UNEMPLOYMENT CURE “These moves will have the effect of increasing labour power considerably and stop the present lack of work,” said Mr. Goldberg - . “Already conditions have improved and the imposition of the tariffs has created a new outlook on industry. Men are looking to their jobs and standing by them, for they new know that the positions are worth something. “While it is true that Australia is passing through a very difficult period, I find that her position is being completely misrepresented by certain ‘calamity-howlers/ who regard every development through dark glasses. Australia is very sound and will shortly occupy an even stronger position than formerly.” Mr. Goldberg believes that overseas manufacturers will see the folly of loosening their grip on the great Australian market. Ho is confident that when they are confronted with actual facts regarding prevailing conditions they will give serious consideration to the possibility of manufacturing within the Commonwealth. “Already,” says Mr. Goldberg, a number of British and American firms have made plans to do this, and it will be an important part of my present journey round the world to induce others to. follow suit, FACING THE FACTS “Australia is seriously facing economic facts. Everywhere one meets the truth that the people are serious and determined in their intention to rehabilitate the nation’s industrial status. Communal and individual economy is universally evident, and the general realisation that increased production is absolutely essential is beingtranslated into actual practice. “The depression which was, naturally, the immediate sequel to the Government’s drastic tariff plan has now been replaced by a widespread determination to make the very utmost of the opportunities provided by that plan. Australia is not enveloped in a fog of gloom. She has settled down to hard work—and hard work is the world’s finest antidote for pessimism.”