PART TWO - Qualcast & the Tariff Debate

Production of Qualcast mowers started in 1920. 'Qualcast' was the brand name
chosen by the maker, the Derwent Foundry Company. So it is quite staggering to
think that, within a decade, this British firm would establish an overseas
factory for its products. The evidence suggests, however, that this was less
about ambitious expansion of the company, but a good business proposition; given
the political events that were taking place in an important overseas market
... Australia.

In the early 20th Century, Australia developed its secondary industries.
A fledgling country had not only to assert itself in wartime, but to assert its
maturity in post-war commercial enterprise. It had to become self-sufficient in
key manufacturing industries.

To this end, Australia adopted protectionist policies with a desire to foster
local manufacturing; whether it be by overseas companies setting up shop here
(and employing AUS workers), or new Australian companies enticed into production
by tariffs designed to create a 'level playing field'.

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This was a priority for the Australian Governments of the time.
In fact, the then Commonwealth Minister for Customs and Trade, Mr J. E. Fenton
made overseas trips - to the UK and the USA - to encourage targeted firms to
come here. Qualcast was a key target, and after a personal meeting between the
Minister and the Derby Company, Qualcast fell for the carrot over the stick:
the 'stick' being the heavy tariffs that would make imports much more expensive
in the future.

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Clearly, in early 1930, Qualcast made an important decision to come to Australia.
The Managing Director of Qualcast, J. A. Jobson, made a trip to Australia to
'make arrangements' for a new operation ... Qualcast (Australia) Pty. Ltd. -
to be established at West Footscray, Melbourne.

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TO BE CONTINUED ...