Lithuanian Businesses in Australia

Jonas Kedys wrote this article in Musu Pastoge in 1955 about trying to start businesses in Australia. 

Many will have read the article "On the Path of Independence" in the August 10 issue of Musu Pastoge. If we had to draw conclusions from this article, it would seem that we have already achieved something in the business field over the past few years. However, when I recall the information from the same "Mūsų Pastogė" about setting up businesses, already three or four years ago, then even then there were probably no less than all kinds of companies, workshops, stores and other businesses among Lithuanians. Unfortunately, we must admit the fact that now only a few of the previously established businesses, of which there were already a dozen at that time, remain, and others, due to their inability to adapt to the market, had to close. Thus, we come to the conclusion that it is difficult for the vast majority of us to set up businesses. Only a small part is able to overcome all the obstacles and difficulties. Where do the main reasons for this failure lie? 

Those starting a business should first of all know that we live in a country where trade and industry are well-developed, this country is full of industries and trade branches, the centers of which are usually abroad: Great Britain, America, Germany and elsewhere. These large companies dictate prices not only for Australia, but also partly for the whole world. So, in order for a newly established company to break into the market, it is necessary to maintain the competition of old companies - to produce goods not only of no lower quality than those already existing, but perhaps even cheaper. And this is not easy to achieve, and therefore many newcomers cannot jump over this competitive barrier. So, when starting a business, two main conditions are necessary: a) sufficient capital for the start-up and b) good theoretical or practical knowledge of the business branch in which one wants to start. Capital is needed to purchase modern machinery, if it is a manufacturing enterprise, or suitable premises in a good location, if a trading enterprise is being established. Production in a primitive way, or trade in the outback — in the conditions of this region, does not promise a good future for an entrepreneur.

Since our people have not yet saved up a large amount of capital, there is only one option left for creating any company: for a few or a few to throw all their resources into a common pot and only with sufficient capital to start trade or production. However, even such a company must have at least one specialist among its members who would understand both the theoretical and practical side of the envisaged business. No one will achieve good results by creating any business with the goal of "helping compatriots". Here I mean the existence of business only for Lithuanian affairs. There are so few Lithuanians in Australia, and they are so scattered over the vast country that no business can survive from them alone. It seems that our first, and indeed Europeans in general, were not successful in business only because they were based not on the majority of the country where they lived, but only on a small minority of their own. It is difficult to say what businesses to pursue more. This depends a lot on local conditions, available capital and the theoretical and practical preparation required to create the intended business. It is worth trying to go into business, because if you succeed, you can create a brighter future for yourself.

J.P. Kedys

Musu Pastoge, Thursday 8 September 1955, page 3