BRITISH AND FOREIGN PIANOS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18681, 3 May 1926, Page 9

BRITISH AND FOREIGN PIANOS.

TO THE EDITOR OP "THE PRESS." Sir, —As a result of some purchases recently ma do by the Kangiora Horougn Council, there iias been much talk about "pianos." 'lhe facts are: that I this Council purchased two projection machine:., macie m uermany at a cost of £-10t), and indented one piano from Vienna at a cost of £195. iet the letters are headed ''Pianos." Why not '"Projection .Machines," or "Foreign Goods?" The conclusion most people will draw is that the writers are interested, not in the protection of British trade, but in selling pianos. By all meaus let us foster British trade, but particularly in respect of those commodities in which we excel. There is 110 doubt that in respect) of pianos both Germany and Austria can surpass us. Then in this branch of manufacture let them live. Our late enemies are down —well down —and it is a tradition of our nation that wc do not kick a man when he is down. It is to he regretted that attempts should be made by trade interests to foster international jealousies which most inevitably tend to recreate war conditions. Surely our past sufferings will make us fear such treachery, and welcome goodwill among men. Some of this controversy may be genuine, and perhaps due to ignorance of the work which a theatre piano has to stand. Only the best makes are of any use. A flat grand piano of any make, foreign or otherwise, which can be bought to-day for £2OO, would completely lose both tone and touch with less than twelve months' work in a picture theatre. There are several makes of German and Austrian, upright pianos, which though costing more than £2OO, would be infinitely superior as regards power, tone., quality, and touch, and which would last- us many years under the same conditions. Tho particular model at..present in the liangiora Hall is unique inthat it is larger than any other upright at present obtainable in New Zealand. It measures 4ft Sin by sft sin. A baby Flat Grand measures approximately 4ft lOin by sft, from which has to be deducted the width of the keyboard, making an approximate measurement of 4ft lOin by 4ft Cin. It is thus evident that the area of sound board and length of string is greater in this uproglit than in the -sft Flat Grand, and in fact it approaches very closely in power to the Boudoir Model (sft Tin) which in . suitable makes costs from £3OO to £4OO. —Yours, etc., AV. J. BELLING HAM. May 2nd, 1926. TO THE EDITOR O* "THE TRESS." Sir,—The action of Rangiora councillors in purchasing a piano made in a foreign country has naturally aroused public opinion in the borough and surrounding districts. Those districts are directly interested in the welfare of England, as all growers of wool, meat, apples, etc., rely on the English market to absorb these products. Without this market where would New Zealand be? The remarkable point is that during the war these same councillors were busy inducing men to join up and fight for the country. How short is memory 1 In the event of another war would they have the courage to again seek the enlistment of diggers? No, Sir, the example, if followed by tho ratepayers, would be disastrous, and I hope this blot on R-angi-ora's Council record will speedily be erased. —Yours, etc., PRODUCER, May Ist, 1926. TO THE EDITOR Of "THE KIESS." Sir, —Your correspondent, "Colonial Britisher," in his letter regarding tho above, appears to bo on the horns of a dilemma. No one will deny that Biitish industries should be encouraged by the buying of British goods, but always with the reservation that the article is superior to that manufactured by other competitor nations. Surely .your correspondent will not affirm that if he has the choice of articles' manufactured by the English and some other nation, and that of the latter is much superior in, workmanship and durability, he will ignore his own interests by purchasing tue inferior article. It would not be human nature. . . Trade patriotism is not practised in New Zealand, however well it may be preached. Take the motor-car industry. It is unquestionable that the car manufactured by the British is generally far superior to any manufactured by a foreign nation, yet the American car industry is predominant in this Dominion, not because tho English car is not superior, but because the Americans have catered for our trade and their article is cheaper than the British one. The same thing applies to the American film business, which,_ tinfortunately, is much superior to the British, arid consequently American pictures aro what we go to see. So, then, why all this bother about an Austrian piano ? Before the war the German and Austrian pianos were admittedly the best on the market, and I believe that the same is the case toCouncillor Jennings did not admit, as suggested by your correspondent, that only one agent was approached. Ou the contrary he stated that the Council had the prices of all other makes before them, and he was convinced that in purchasing this Austrian, piano they were studying the best interests of* the ratepayers, both materials and aesthetically. I venture to assert that had the Council or anyono else gone to any of the piano agents represented in Christchurch and expressed a desire for a foreign piano he would not have been sent away with the remark that only British pianos were sold there. Your correspondent's letter suggests nothing more thau a case of sour grapes° and I would point out to him that there was lately signed the Locarno Pact, its object being to bring about a better understanding between the signatories, of which Germany was one, and that it was described as "a herald of peace." So that in the spirit of Locarno where nations are extracting large indemnities from a conquered nation they cannot, if they desire to i collect those indemnities, shackle their opponent's trade, otherwise they are in ! the position of the creditor who casts

his debtor into prison aiul then expects him to meet his liabilities.—Yours, etc., ANOTHER BRITISHER. May 2nd, 1926.