MUSIC IN THE HOME.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17882, 1 October 1923, Page 7

MUSIC IN THE HOME.

BRITISH INSTRUMENT TRADE.

It -will be refreshing news to those who are impressed by unemployment in Great Britain to learn that the musical instrument trade there is flourishing. Mr N. Elmslie, British Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, has just been advised on the authority of the British, music industries organisation that the musical instrument industry is prosperous. The production of British pianos last season was estimated at between 82,000 and 60,000. This represents, a considerable increase over the previous year's figures, and there is every reason for anticipating that this increase will be maintained in the coming year, and that before long production will reach six hgures. This satisfactory state of affairs is owing, in no small measure, to the fact that labour conditions and labour costs are now much more stabilised than they were two years ago. The output of gramophones has also been very satisfactory; it is estimated that the number of gramophones produced during the past twelve months was between 150,000 and 200,000, and the number of records totalled between 15 and 20 millions. The exoort trade in musical instrument* generally is on the increase. . Much* of the success achieved by the musical instrument industry was attributed to the Federation of British Music Indus■Eries, and appreciative reference was also made to the assistance and information received from the Department of Overseas Trade and its overseas officers.