1953-03-20 — Page 9

"Push- Button" Factory Coming

Los Angeles, Mar. :19.

A method of anticipating production bottlenecks an hour or even two months in advance is the latest stop toward the push-button factory of tomorrow.

JA

The procedure, which makos Use of electronte d3vices scheduling plant's operations, is reported by an industrial research group financed by the

US Navy of the University of

California at Los Angeles.

The project is directed by Dr Melvin K. Salveson,

Assistant

66

THE CHINA MAIL, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1953.

"Strong Man" World Trade

New

Gets Assignment

TRYING TO SAVE

LANCS' MARKETS

(From YORKE HENDERSON)

London, Mar. 19.

An ex-council schoolboy who became the strong man of Britain's cotton industry, has been given the job of trying to save Lancashire's Colonial markets.

He is 62-year-old Sir Frank Platt, cotton- mills owner and one-time football club director- from 1919 to 1933 he directed Oldham Athletic importantF.C. as a recreation.

· Professor of Production Manuge- ment af UCLA'B School of Business Administration. 10 says the new concept promises to be one of the most advances in scientific production scheduling in 30 years.

The semi-automatic factory of the future is alrendy here piecemeal," De Salvem added. "For some businesses the heavy expenditures necessary to install electric bralis' ure economically feasible. For others that paint has not been reached yet,”

Plants in the latter category are likely users of the electronic scheduling computer for which Richard G. Canning worked out the base design after intensive study of a 1,000-employee plant with Salveson. Mr Canning is electronics engineer for the pro- Jeet.

*they

TAPE WITH "MEMORY!

can devise

He and Dr Salveson say that scheduling system which WAL virtually eliminate the need for expeditors in faclories. Most of the electronie equipment for such a' system, they add, is commercially available.

Electrically punched data cards, high-speed electronic com- puters and magnetic tape which "remembers" current information are part of the process by which the manager con obtain fast in- formation on Ray phase of the factory's operation-past, present or future-say the researchers.

Whenever a machine tool be- comes available, for instance, thie, electronic equipment would scan waiting shop orders and pick out the one with the highest priority. By changing priorities the

The pro- duction executive can vary the schedule until he gets one that looks good for the next tivo weeks or even months. This is merely one thing the system could do, Dr Salveson says.

WOULD PAY

Late deliveries caused by pro- duction Interruptions and high Inventories necessary to provide for unforeseen shortages cause overhead costs to soar and make many a production innnnger's "job"u" nightmare, the researchers polní out. Such situations can be straightened out by electronic scheduling, they maintain.

For months Lancashire's cotton men have been worrying about the probable non-renewal of Sterling Area restrictions on Japanese imports in the Colonies after the end of June.

cutton

W

and

To Reach A New Peak?

New York. Mar. 19. World trade should reach a new peak · this year, A. W. Zelomek, President of the International Statistical Bureau, a private organizá- tari, predicted.

America's share, how- ever, may decline alighily, he forecast,

But he sold "American Imports in 1933 should equal or exceed the 1952 total. American exporta, on the other hand, are expected to decline.

American producers will encounter more compell- tion

from Abroad

this year, Mr Zelomek maid, and American exports will probably not come up to the 1952 level, The American share in world trade may drop to about 20 per cent this year AB the world economy returns to a more normal status. The U.8, share in 1052 wan about 21 per cent.—ÄSSOL clated Press,

HONGKONG

SHARE MARKET

Business

IN

DECLINE BRITAIN'S SHARE OF SHIPPING

London, Mar. 19.

MESSAGERIES.

Outwards

M

MARITIMES

M

PASSENGERS/FREIGHT SERVICE

"FELIX ROUSSEL"

Hoshewards

"FELIX ROUSSEL”

Leaves Atarsoles Hongkong

Itongkong

20 Mar.

22 Apr,

via Marseliles to all Mediterranean & via Djibouti to Madagascar.

Uptwards

The relative decline in this country's share of the world's merchant shipping and the absolute decline in the tonnage of tranip ships under the United Kingdom flag cast their shadow over the MEINAM" annual meeting of the Chamber of Shipping, says The Times.

Mr Donald F. Anderson, in his presidential address, reminded the chamber that the gross ton- nage of tramps had dropped from 3,500,000 in 1939 to 3,100,000 tons in 1950 and to 2,400,000 tons in 1952.

Moreover, the last three years' deliveries of new ships had not been much more than half the amount needed for full replace- ment.

The

The main cause has been the failure of depreciation allowances under the present tax system to cover the cost of replacement at Loday's greatly enhanced prices, The depletion of capital resources, the thrent to the main- tenance

of the merchant navy, and

the need for remedial action were stressed In

special resolution chamber.

[

passed by the

Campaign

For Higher Production

In Britain

. The

London, Mar. 19. British Council today announced the Productivity

programme for the national con- ference on productivity which it is holding in London tomorrow. The

conference will be the start of a national campaign med at sing productivity through- eut British industry.

They have fritted about the President, Mr Peter Thorney- delay in announcing a decision croft, stepped in, Someone, be one way or the other. Their knew, was needed to correlate particular worry has been their the efforts of the cotton men...

The danger of such a decline ehrce of holding on to the

in tramp shipping, on which so He went straight to Sir Frank lucrative markels in East and Platt, vice-chairman

much depends in peace and on West Alries.

monoging director

which the first call is made in of the were Lancashire Cotton Corporation

war, is of paramount importance, In East Afrien there

(From Our Correspondent) clans that led merchants were Lid.

STILL MORE SERIOUS The job Sir Frank accepted holding fire on

piece-

Though the decline has done on the Stock yet spread to earge liners, the not good purchases until they Was to undertake negotiations Exclunge this morning amount owners of which are obliged to which way the wind blew. They with the various interests conred to $125,607.50. Noon quoin-intain their fects in order to that want to stock their cerned in a fresh effort to make tions and the inotning's trans- protect their berth trades, It may shelves with Lancashire goods arrangements to ensure con- ctions:-

It will be attended by several when there was the prospect of tinuously available supplies at

well be only question of hundred members of the 80 teams from competitive prices for markets SHARES BUYERS SELLERS SALES time, if nothing is done to which have visited the U.S. in buying cheaper materials

relleve the financial dimeulties, the pust four years under the Japan after June.

before taxation starts to cat away auspices of the Anglo-American the liner frets likewise.

Council on Productivity to study To be without the ships in a methods in U.S. industries. lime of

emergency would

Representatives serious enough. It would be still

of the em- 4500 1.37% more serious to be without the ployers' organisations and trade unions which sponsored these Mr Anderson reminded the productivity teams, as well as of chamber that two of the most | many managerial, Industrial and valuable assets of the British trade union organisations, will

Arsi, wore, shipping industry

also be present. the quality of the offteers and

cotton

Mea

wanted to

With the deadline looming develop. tangerously near, the

Cotton These negotiations are now are's standing committee on under way. How successful they everses trails policy formed an have been is not known yet. And Solu- it will only be known when the glight-iman body to find a ilon.

partles concerned come before

Board with One suggestion which emerged the Cotton

some

was that British Overseas Cot- concrete dorist

This was ton Lte, be revived. the body set up during the war to post British culton exporis.

FRESH EFFORT.

The basle ides scemed ceptable. Co-operation was cessary, agreed the anill-owners. But for sure re:son they would reviving not bear the idea of

The situation was des BOC. perate when the Board of Trade

must comno

DANKS

HIK Bank XD 1320 Enni Aa... INSURANCES

Union Underwriters

147

14

1.37%

SHIPPING

Asta Nav.

DOCKS, ETC.

0.33 N. t. Wharf Dock

10.30 10.30 18:00 101 Wheelock 7.10 7.20 000 g 7.10 LAND, ETC.

men.

be

47 4815 100 of 4715 men who manned the ships, and

HK Hotel XD 6.35 7

JIK Land

10) XD

to

Shai Land

1.40 17

liumphreys

XD

12:30 1211

But that soon. If the Lancashire men want to keep their hold on the | valuable" Colonial markets they must be ready soon to put for-

counter-attraction reward a

lower Japanese costs.

OBVIOUS BOLUTION They know what the Colonies The Nigerian Dade want. Minister, Mr A. C. Nwapa, made that clear when he visited Bri- tain last year. He was voicing the demands of more than his own Colony when he said that Lancashire cotton mills should able to offer continuity of supply, good quailty and com- petitive prices.

Washington Conference

On Wheat

dinys.

be

The cotton men explained to him that Nigeria was not the only customer to suffer from spasmodic cotton piece goods | supplies immediately after the war Lancashire was then working on only a third of her.

mills. Washington, Mar. 10. Reliable sources said today that the Canadian delegation at the International Wheat Council conference, apparently despair- ing of an agreement, naked that the conference end within three This followed Conada's offer Dr Salveson and Mr Cunning | of $2.10 a bushel for a new in- believe their system at present | ternational wheat is practical only for plants with This was supported by the Au more than 500 employees. They trallan delegation. It is under- emphasise that the system must stood that Canuda made the be tailored to $1 Individual offer to put on record that she companies.

was most anxious for an agree- ment to be reached and con-

Installing such a system in the

plant which they studied would cost about $250,000, they es- timated. But they believe it would pay for itself in clerical help alone within three years. and savings from more efficient production

would

amount from 3 to 10 per cent of the factory's annual output.-A580- clated Press.

to

Grain Prices

In Chicago

Chicago, Mar. 19. Chicago Bruins and other leading commodities moved Irregularly in quiet dealings with advar.cos and declinca about evenly divided. Evening up in March deliveries dominated the trado in grains. The news that the negotiations for a new In- ternational Wheat agreement had bogged down created some uneasiness. Wlicat close today 3 to 4 higher and soybeans were $5 Jower to % higher. Prices closed as follows:-

Wheat-price per bushel

2.30 nominat 2.321-2.33

Spot

March

May

July

September December

2.33)

Corn

Spot

Marcia

May

July

September

December

Hye-

Maruta

1.7035-14

May

Oats

March

May

7416-73 New York four-per 200 lb. sick 13.30 nominai-Unite Pro

agreement.

Realty

UTILITIES

Tham XD... 19.00 22.10

Star Ferry

C. Light (0) $1% 9.50 3000

C. Light IN) 3.00

9.30

Firetric XD 71 2000 of 21.29

Tel. KU 15.00 15.10 INDUSTRIALS

10.00 XO 20.30

Conient XD STORES, ETC.

Dalry Watson

COTTONS

EWO

10

100 20.40

400

213

and most

Sir

Opening of the conference by largest he possession of "the Sir Peter Bennett, chairman of ;

the British Productivity Council, widely ex- perienced selection of manage will be followed by an address

Chancellor of

of the ment ability

any

shipping by the

Exchequer, Mr R. A. Butler. Industry in the world."

It was management especially,

Lincoln Evans, secretary of the Iron and Sterl Trades he felt, that needed

more at-

Confederation and tractive terms and prospects if

deputy- recruitment to

its ranks

Council, will was chairman of the

speak on "Tiade Unions and not to suffer.

Productivity," und Sir Ewart Smith, a director of 1.C.1. and member of the Counell, on "The Council's Objective.”

DANGERS GRAVE Otherwise, shipping "will no longer get the right young men and in a generation will no longer be a first class industry."

Nothing, presumably, could do more to make the prospects appear unattractive than

MAIN AIM

Sir Norman Kipping, director of the F.B.I. und a member of

The Rubber tendency for the industry itself the Council, will then put before

The Immediately obvious solution for keeping the West and East African markets is the bulk production of cotton cloths of the type which the two terri tories can absorb in large quan- titles and for which there is little demand elsewhere.

But if the cotton men take May

7317-12 this step can

be guaranteed Number they

rubber. April 70-705 continuity of goodwill by the Number 3 rubber. April 7-67

Spol rubber, unbaled Colonies concerned? Any fasting Number rubbor April solution would have to be twa-Blanket crepe sided. The Colonies would have No. I pala erepo to contribute something. the mill owners believe.

Markets

"Singapore, Mar. 19. Prices of rubber futures closed today as follows:- Number 1 rubber. per b.

Apri

June

cussion

pro

One of the main aims of the campaign will be to spread the "knowhow" of higher ductivity-gained by the teams which have visited the U.S. and evolved by progressive British of Arms-more

widely throughout industry.

the conference the Council's These dangers are grave, says proposed programme of action in The Times, Shipping leaders are the productivity campaign. After not exaggerating when they that the conterence will be ascribe them so largely the thrown open

dis- to general of the Council's system of taxation, The inadequacy

of deprecia- proposals, tion allowances is felt by all In- dustry

but there is no answer td the assertion made by Mr Haumer, in proposing the specia: resolution at the Chamber's meeting that "our business conducted under conditions 724-7514 | competition such as no Jand-

|based industry experiences."

In the case of shipping delay United Pres.

The approach to is already dangerous. By one question of raising productivity means or another the decline in will be fundamentally different and if the cotton

the tramp fleet must be stopped from that of the old Anglo- reach a decision it will

the

The rubber market was easier and the maintenance of British American Council, which con- Colonies concerni to be too high and unrealistic.

shipping as a whole assured, the|centrated entirely on visits of Lan-today. These sources believed that ed. If it is accepted the

newspaper declares. Canada would be willing to cashire mills will then probably Number 1 rubber, in pence descend to $2.05 a bushel if an open the throttle on large-scale April

reached. production of the special agreement could be They said that the Canadian of cotton Africa needs. price proposal was vigorously

sidered that the price asked by

When, the U.S. Secretary of Agricul ture, Mr Ezra

$2.15 millers Benson, of

be put to

05-07 BJ-6J

LONDON MARKET

per ib.

sort May

June April/June The decision, however, must: July/September

London, Mar, 10.

Supported by Australis, but that corne soon. London Express October/December the United States relegation Service. mute no comment.

At this stage, the sources

understood, the Canadian delega- JAPANESE BONDS

tion asked that the conference

be wound up or at least ad-

..

journed within three days as, Japanese bonds, apparently, the Canadian Goy- ernment despaired, of further progress.

These sources added that several delegates of Importing nations vigorously

protested against the Canadian attitude by expressing their view that there was still a chance of success with further perseverance.

They understood that the Bri- tish delegation remained glum aru sald nothing but a number of Continental delegates, ap- purently, managed to postpone a show-down on this so that the delegation did not Canadian

insist on their suggestion for a breaking up of the conference by the end of the week-United Press.

LONDON TIN MARKET

London, Mar. 19.

"AP (43.

13

"B" (45.

"

"

of 1890) of 1910) "C" (5s. of 1907) "D" (58.

of 1024) "" (548. of 1930)

United Press.

Allocations In

The

Taipei

the whole

of the

tears to make direct comparisons between the Industries two countries.

The new Council, it is under-

making its ap-" stood, will be proach along three different ines of action, which will not Taipei, Mar. 19. only consolidate the work of the Economic Stabilisation Anglo-American teams but will Board has approved the allo- increase contact between firms

of US$2,000,000 to two and industries in Britain. Government agencies, the Com- modity Supply Bureau and the Central Trust, to import cotton and woollen cloth for sale in Taiwan. 5.0875

15.00 The tales are expected to re- 21.00 sult in high profits reaching 39.20

Talwan $18,000,000, France- 1220 Presse.

Exchange Rates cation

Business was done in the local 82% unometal exchange marku 71% morning of the following rates

US dollar (per #1) Sterling, note (per £1). 101% Indonesia" mulders (per 100)

Slam teals (per 100) 145

Singapore (Straits)

125

FIC plastre (per 100)

Japanese Mission To Visit Britain

To Discuss Currency Questions

Cotton Prices

In New York

New York, Mar, 19. Prices of cotton futures closed today as follows:-

Spot

Diag

July

delober

December March May

33.05

33.40-33.41

35.87-37.58

33.31-13.62

33.08-33.07 nominal 33.00

33.69 poninal

23.40 hid

UnitedTMPress.

London, Mar. 19. 'third countries" outside - the The discussions would be July The Financial Times reported Sterling Area.

concerned only indireally with the today, that a Japanese mission

current headed by Mr Takel Tojo, chief of the Foreign Exchange Bureau of the Ministry of Finance, will vizit London shortly to discuss currency questions connected with the future relationship of Sterling and the yen.

Anglo-Japanese| . NEW ORLEANS MARKET "Indeed the next move may truite and paymenis iniks in well be to bring Japan into the Tokyo, the sources and. Sterling transferable pecount | **** system, the newspaper sald

Spot

July October December

March

July

31,90

33,30-33,37

31,944

33.92

53,00 bid

23.07 bid

1.04 bid

United Prest.

Suggestions that the Japanese It pointed out that a more emission was coming here to see Immediate problem was the what direct approach could do arrrangement of a new agree- for those talks were misleading. ment on Sterling Area Jop A Brill Treasury oficial The newspaper said no-details" | anese trade on which negoline would not comment on reports London, Mar, 19. The tin market was easy of the talks agenda had yet been tions had been going on in trom Torg that Britain had today. Turnover was 20 tons, revealed, but it added "It seems Tokyo for, the past six weeks. suggested that Japan's direct

British officials have not yet exports to the Sterling Area Synthetic For Japan including 10 lona for

likely that they are related to cash. Prices closed at the end of the the general series of discussions drawn up a precise agenda for should be suited to an ahdusl

Tokyo, Mar. 19. session as about future arrangements for the talks will Mr Tojo. rate of about £168,000,000; rbm

Sterling

Applications for allocation of An authoritative British an annual rate or 2148,000,000 burre did today it was ex-in the last six months of 1832, foreign exchange for Importing Japan should. Import | synthotic tubber will be accept- and that One question likely to be dis- pected they would explore cer about

*£238,000,000 Timea sain technical curreticy questions sterling 200,000.00 al nounced by the Ministry of In- of ed until March 10, 1f - was nas added, "war""'nocne drinngeridőt | between tid, seh and Blerting No comment could be made ternational Trade and Industry. for enlarging Japan's facililles Further detalls were awaited before the Tokyo talks are All Importers are qualified to for carning Sterling from from Japan.

ended, the cficial said,-ņeuter, I apply.—France-Presse,

official morning

follows:-

Spot in buyers Opot un, sellers Disine done at

943-042 tin buyers 231 2

inpellers sa

United, Prem,

Three-months Thirde-month Business done at Bettlement

itled, the Financial

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BUSINESS REGULATION ORDINANCE 1952

Copies of the prescribed Forms 1(a) 1(b) and 1(c)};"

Now On Sale at S. C. M. Post. Ltd. HONGKONG AND KOWLOON

TEN CENTS EACH