TNAG-0938-FCO40-1157-Visit-of-John-Nott--Secretary-of-State-for-Trade--to-Hong-Ko-1980 — Page 206

makna dhati wiweicha zako dira:th am de m'avite samakisinkant on the st

sets and audio equipment in Britian Sony, Matsushita, Toshiba,

Hitachi, Mitsubishi Electric, and soon Aiwa. Other companies in widely different sectors have had similar success. NSK, the

bearings manufacturer, exports over 80% of the production of its

factory in North-East England. YKK, who make zip fasteners near Liverpool, now employs nearly 500 people after expanding every year since 1972. These companies are showing what is possible. Relationships with the workforce have been good, the trades

unions have caused your companies little trouble one company, Matsushita, for example, has spoken of a "constructive and

harmonious relationship" with the union, and of "excellent labour

relations". Together we have applied our skills jointly with

yours for the greater benefit of both. In doing so we have

helped to introduce new products, new technology, new production methods and new attitudes to some sectors of British industry. I believe that the potential for collaboration of this type

is many times what has been achieved so far. It is always easy to be cautious, complacent, perhaps even just overly modest, but I urge businessmen on both sides to go out looking for new

opportunities to work together. We in Government will provide

the framework, but it has to be the businessmen who take the

initiative. One thing which should certainly not deter you in

Japan is the plethora of reports in the media about industrial

troubles in Britain. They do not tell the whole truth and as a

result mislead. Indeed on the basis of the International Labour

Organisation comparison over the last 10 years the UK has lost

fewer days through strikes than the USA, Canada or Australia. Please come and see for yourselves: talk to the local managers of companies like NSK, YKK and Matsushita. If you do, you will find that Britain has much to offer you, and I do not just mean the benefits of North Sea oil. In our newer growth industries, our people are flexible and inventive and readily accept the old truth that hard work and effort are the key to greater rewards.

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