NATIONAL TRADE MARK.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19972, 5 July 1930, Page 4

NATIONAL TRADE MARK.

MANUFACTURERS APPROVE ! IDEA. I [THE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, July 4. In view of the success which has attended the introduction of a national trado mark in Ireland, Canada, anil other countries, and also in view of tho increasing demand of tho public for goods produced in New Zealand, tho Manufacturers' Federation has decided to move in the direction of obtaining tho necessary regulations governing tho use of a national trade mark an<l to institute a designs competition, offering a priao of £ls and two of £5 each It hopes to have tho Dominon trado mark in general use in the course of next vear. The subject was introduced by a Canterbury delegate. Mr F. T. Hiutchinson. who moved: "That the time is opportune for the establishment of a Dominion trade mark; tlmt the matter be considered of national importance, that prizes be offered for a design," and that the Department of Industries and Commerce be asked to obtain information about the . regulations governing the use of trade marks in other countries." The efforts made' in Canterbury towards these ends were referred to, but the speaker urged that the federation should make a fresh start with the idea of putting it into operation at the earliest possible moment. - • ■' Mr I. Woolf, president of the Canterbury Association, seconded the motion.

Mr G. W. Reid (Dunedin) said he thought they should get the machinery first and proceed with tho designs afterwards. Mr G. Mills Palmer (Auckland) emphasised the need of tho design being adequately registered and protected, and an organisation would be necessary. , Mr Hutchinson ureed that the time was ripe to proceed and that the public should be able to know when they were buying goods produced in tho Dominion. It was said that some retailers would have their goods marked "Made expressly for—but would not have "Made in New Zealand" on them, but tho president and others pointed out that in the last year the sentiment of the public had changed considerably in favour of New Zealand products, and that the demand for them had greatly increased. Tho retailers had recognised that the public were asking f<?r them and i" consequence had to change their attitude. Mr J; Abel (Wellington) said .tho retailers had "seen the writing on the wall" and were coming into line in regard to advertising the goods which were«manufactured in the Dominion. They would be onlv too pleased if tho federation carried the • proposal through, •• Mr Campbell said he was sure public sentiment had changed and they should Proceed with the scheme asking Canterbury to obtain information and arrange for a competition for designs. - Mr Hutchinson agreed that Canterbury would proceed and a design could probably be submitted to the federation in three months' time. The remit was carried, the matter being left to the Canterbury Association to get information and arrange a competition.