Preview

PDF (Whole thesis) whole_Haddon-Ca...pdf | Download (24MB) Available under University of Tasmania Standard License. | Preview

Abstract

Concurrently with other investigations, the Department of Economics
and Commerce in this University during 1937, 1938 and 1939 conducted research
into the cost structure of Australian industry. The research, Mr. D. L.
Anderson, B.Com, prefaced his monograph by pointing out that the utility
of such an investigation was difficult to define before the results of the
investigation were known. The same observation may be made of the present
study; the results of which can only be said to be indeterminate. Nor can
the work done be justified on the grounds that it constitutes, to quote
Anderson, "a first stop in a theoretical analysis which may finally result
in same practical result, such as the improvement of economic or technical
efficiency." For example, inductive confirmation of some of the currently
hold theories of industrial location' wore sought but little light has been
thrown on the applicability of such theories. It was decided to conduct an
examination of the effects of shipping costs on specific industries for two
reasons. Firstly, the financial history of the State since Federation has
emphasised the cost of Bass Strait to the Tasmanian community, 'Being wholly
dependent on sea carriage for the transportation of imports and exports,
every ship and every freight rate is a factor in the prosperity of the State.
Secondly, the survey conducted last year of the gross and net labour absorptive
capacity of Tasmanian secondary industries suggested that the ruling
level of shipping freight rates was a determining factor so far as output
policies and industrial expansion were concerned. However, it may even be
that, particularly where production economies are desired, output is expanded in spite of freight costs.

For a full understanding of the Tasmanian position it is necessary
to realise that not only is Tasmania isolated from the other States, but it
is divided into four sections each of which is economically isolated from
the others'. Although a very small State the climate and the quality of the
soil vary considerably, with the result that each section specialises in
a particular branch of primary production.

The West is an extensive mining field - its only port is Strahan.
The North West Coast produces chiefly oats, peas, potatoes, timber and fat
stock and its interstate ports arc Stanley, Burnie, Devonport and Ulverstone.
The North and North East produces chiefly wool, grain, hay and fruit, and
is served almost wholly by the port of Launceston. The chief primary products
of the South are fruit and timber for which the interstate port is
Hobart. The exportable output of the secondary industries is also distributed
among the four groups of ports.

In regard to secondary industry it is hardly necessary to stress
the point that the tariff has not succeeded in promoting manufacturing industry
in Tasmania. Owing to the absence of a home market, the limited
supply of labour and the insular position of the State with the keen mainland
competition, it is difficult to anticipate that manufacturing industries
on a largo scale are likely to locate in Tasmania. On the other hand,
tho present State Government's declared policy of post war industrial
development is understood to be yielding results and already a number of
now establishments have commenced production. The continuance and extension
of this policy will largely depend on the relative bargaining power of
Tasmania as against other States anxious to develop industrially. As will
be noted in Chapter VIII it must be realised that the term "decentralisation
of secondary industry" means one thing to such industrialised states as
Victoria and New South Wales and another to the outlying states, particularly
Tasmania and Western Australia.

Chapter I relates to the affects of the Coasting Trade provisions
of the Navigation Act of 1912-43. Whether Tasmania is worse off than she
would be under free competition in shipping is questionable. Tasmania
needs regularity of service more than any other state, and, as she is off
the main line of traffic Tasmanian trades are rather in the nature of a
diversion and hence more expensive.

Item Type:	Thesis - Unspecified
Authors/Creators:	Haddon-Cave, Charles Phillip
Keywords:	Shipping, Export marketing
Copyright Holders:	The Author
Copyright Information:	Copyright 1945 the Author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s).
Additional Information:	Thesis (BA)--University of Tasmania, 1945
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

Actions (login required)

Item Control Page