FOREIGN GOODS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18676, 27 April 1926, Page 6

FOREIGN GOODS.

RANGIOSA COUNCILLORS CRITICISED. The slogan "Buy British Goods" was greatly in evidence at the annual meeting of the Rangiora Returned Soldiers' Association ou Saturday night, when the Borough Council was taken to task for purchasing a foreigu piano and foreign cinematograph machines. Tlie secretary (Mr W. It. Pike) said that he had received an anonymous letter, signed by "0»$ Who Has Suffered," calling tlie attention of the Association to tho action of the Borough Council'in having purchased a piano for the new Town Hall from an alien country. After reading tlio letter, lie said he would not have taken very much notice of an anonymous writer, but ho had been approached by about fifty different persons asking what the returned soldiers intended doing in the matter. As secretary to the Association, it was his duty to place the matter before them. Tho Council had not , only, purchased an Austrian piano, but they, had purchased two German cinematograph machines for screening the pictures in the hall. He protested strongly at the action of .the Council in purchasing these machines, when British makes could have been bought. Replying to the protest of the secretary of the Association, the Mayor (Mr It. Mcintosh) stated that he had heard that some mention was to be made at the meeting of the action of the Council in purchasing an Austrian piano and German machines. Re was going to stand by the action of the Council. The piano was the best that could bo purchased for the money, find the most suitable for the hall. Some criticism had been levelled at Cr. Jennings, but in fairness to him lie had • strongly protested at first, but after all the facts had been placed before him he had been convinced it was the best piano for them to buy. Tt was tbo best piano they.could buy in Xeiv Zealand for the money. £l9o. Criticism Condemned. Cr. Jennings, in supporting the action of the Council, said he had arrived from Diinedin that evening on purpose to attend the meeting. He explained bis action and tho part he had taken in the purchase. Prices of all other makes had been placed before them, and he was convinced lhat in purchasing this piano they were studying the best interests of the ratepayers. He strongly condemned tho action of the returned men in their protest. Tho Government were purchasing German machines, and if it was right for the Government to do so, then ho saw 'no wronc; in the action of the Council. The subject caused a great deal of discussion, and the meeting frequently showed their disapproval at the action of the Council in very strong terms. Mr C. E. Bell, a returned soldier, entered a .-very stronc; protest, nt the action of the Council in purchasing anything but British goods. He contradicted the statement made that a British piano could not. have been purchased for about tlie same amount. He knew something of pianos, and he had got into to'ich with various musical finns\ and had obtained quotations, which, he deelnrec:. refuted the state ment= made that an »qnallv eood Brit-ish-made p'ano could not have been purchased for about the same price., which would have- been just as good .n piano in every*wnv. The Mayor's Resentment. In reply to a question, Cr. Jennings, admitted" that the prices submitted to them were given by the agent from whom the v,iano was purchased, and

that they did not interview any other of the agents. . As the criticism was becoming rather pointed, the "Mayor said ho van rather sorry that ho had come to the mcetin"-. If a vote of censure was.to. be passed on the action of the Councillors, he, with his Councillors, •would, leave tbo rewm. . . Cr. Tyler supported the action of the Council, and said that as long as the term of this Council Jested, the, piano was going to remain in the hall. Cr. Bailey strongly deprecated the criticism and remarks macjo. As much as he disliked' purchasing German goods, they were convinced that they had done the right thing in the interests of the borough. i Mr L. W. Motizies, a returned soldier, ■ condemned ' tjio action of the Council. From a natriotic point of view, they should support England nv their endeavour to. level _ matters after tlio war, and so assist in giving employment by the purchase of, .ontish K °Mr T. Sbanklaiwl moved that the discussion close. This was seconded by. Mr J. C. Thompson, and on being put to tlie -meeting was carried. Mr C. E. Bell informed the mectmrt that on the opening night of the hftll; the piano under discussion -would not be used, but a British piano would bo provided.. . . • At the close of the discussion, the customary social was held.. .