BRITISH RECOVERY

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1935, Page 9

BRITISH RECOVERY

IMPRESSIONS OF A VISITOR. BUSINESS PLANNING AHEAD. "Less than three years ago general trade conditions in Great Britain were anything but brisk; in fact, so serious was the and so uncertain the outlook that business enterprise and development were brought ahnost to a standstill,” said Mr. J. R. Cruickshank, who has returned to New Plymouth after a visit to Britain. “Fortunately, however, the facts were faced and measures introduced to deal with this unprecedented slump, with the result that confidence was restored, followed by a gradual recovery of trade, and to-day, although there is no talk in responsible quarters of an impending trade boom, the opinion is expressed that improvement will continue, and many concerns in England are quietly planning ahead in anticipation of bigger business both for home and export. “With the improved trading position the number, of unemployed has correspondingly decreased, and last month the total of registered unemployed fell below the two million mark, or 1,950,000 to be exact; but one deplorable feature of the otherwise encouraging unemployment returns is the relative increase c juvenile unemployment, which in August, 1935, was considerably larger than in 1934, and nearly one-third larger than in 1933. The cause of this alarming increase in juvenile unemployment is, of course, the large number of births in the years immediately following the war, and so far the only remedy seems to be the raising of the school-leaving age. This measure is strongly advocated on educational grounds apart from its effect on the labour market. “In revisiting England, which I have fortunately been able to do at intervals since coming to New Zealand, it was very interesting and instructive to note the changes and developments which have taken place, not only at London itself but in the business organisations, transport and public services throughout the country. One is impressed with the everincreasing volume of traffic in London and the efficiency of its control, the extension of the motor-coach services all over the country and the development of passenger air routes. In travelling, say, from London to any important centre in Great Britain most time-tables now give the prospective passenger the choice of three modes of travel—rail, motor or air. “Although many people in England continue to grumble about their telephone service the fact remains that the whole system has been greatly speeded up (particularly trunk calls), and the automatic slot machines, available almost anywhere, afford the public a quick connection with any part of the British Isles. One has only to go to the nearest slot telephone box to make a trunk call—the exchange advises the user of the cost, and when he places the required fee in the slots (one for pennies, one for sixpences and one for shillings) he presses ‘Button A’ and connection is made. If there should be obstruction or unexpected delay he is told to press ‘Button B’ and his money is returned. By the way, after 7 p.m. the fee for trunk calls is on a flat rate of Is irresp’ective of distance. This remarkably cheap rate has greatly stimulated the use of the telephone for long-distance work.”