Cramping Work Hinders Production
Page 30
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
WHEREVER there is a strong element of control in any industry, in sections of it or in cases in which one industry that may be uncontrolled has to rely upon another rigidly restricted, there are almost certain to be inconsistencies and anomalies which may cause inconvenience and, possibly, losses to the national economy. The issue or refusal of building licences, for example, can result in heart burnings in the event of refusal, combined with surprise and envy at the manner in which they are granted to other applicants whose claims may not appear to be so strong.
We realize, of course, that it is important to conserve the limited supplies of steel and allocate the major part of this material to those who can make the best use of it. In this connection, those who wish to erect steel-frame buildings are sometimes given the option of, say, a concrete structure, despite the fact that this has to be reinforced with steel. The difficulty, then, however, is that a concrete building may be far more massive than is required and, incidentally, will almost certainly be considerably more expensive.
We have in mind one instance in which a manufacturer of commercial vehicles, for which many orders are being received from abroad, is being forced to restrict output and thus lose such important orders because of the refusal to grant a licence for an extension amounting to only 0,000. On the other hand, a licence for a building costing a similar amount has been granted to a bus-operating concern merely to house vehicles which, as the result of lack of garage space, it has been forced to park in the open for a long time, but seemingly without any serious detriment to them.
Thus, in the one case, production which would certainly bring in external currency is being retarded, whereas in the other the major factor is more a matter of convenience than anything else. Such instances are not rare, and show a lack of appreciation of the urgency which attaches to the advancement of production where this is largely for export or rearmament.