AUSTRALIA SHOULD STUDY INDUSTRIAL U.S.A.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17881, 24 June 1926, Page 15

AUSTRALIA SHOULD STUDY INDUSTRIAL U.S.A.

SIR JAMES ELDER GIVES SOME GOOD ADVICE. | By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and 2>7.Zi Cable Association. NEW YORK, June 22. Sir James Elder, Commissioner for Australia, in a farewell address at the British Luncheon Club, said: “ There are many phases, particularly in the industrial life of the United States, which Australia and the Empire might do well closely to study and which point to a lesson that we should heed. The wonderful prosperity that the Americans are enjoying is due to their particular psychology and to the methods they have adopted in practically : all their industrial activities. Ameri- I can industry is blessed in possessing a a wonderful home, or domestic market. Factories hum, furnaces hlazc, and riches are wrung from the earth for at least 144 out of every 168 hours and where in any other part of the world can we find such educational and wel- , fare work being carried on amongst : the workers by employers, and where, does such co-operation between Labour I and Capital exist? “ American workmen now firmly be- j lieve that the more labour-saving machinery is used the better it is not | only for employers but for the workmen themselves. The American em-1 ployer pays well and believes in the principle of payment by results. Hours J of work have been decreased and rates of pay raised and, extraordinary as is the co-operation between the employer and the employee in no less measure is j the co-operation between the various j units of each industrial activity of the 1 nation just as remarkable. It would almost seem as if most Americans have no secrets in their business and they a-e willing to impart their knowledge to all inquirers whom they may consider deserving of their courtesy. There is a very clear understanding on. the part of American industrial men of the benefits to be derived individually and collectively from honest, friendly and frank co-operation. “ Every phase of the industrial life of America seems to be standardised and mass production has greatly cheapened output and materially lowered overhead charges. The Americans desire to be our friends. They wish to know us better. Let us respond to the open-hearted and generous hospitality of their flag. Let us get closer together, for American manhood as I have met it and understood jt is of a qualit~* that commands the highest respect and is altogether worthy of the warmest response on the part of the citizens of the British Empire.”