PUBLICITY FOR N.Z. PRODUCE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21354, 22 December 1934, Page 13

PUBLICITY FOR N.Z. PRODUCE

DISPLAY OPENED A FLOOD OF ELOQUENCE (rSOM OUH OWN COBRESPOKDENT.) LONDON, November 15. A certain building in St. Paul's Churchyard, which was formerly a draper's shop, is being transformed into a block of flats. The owner of the land, Mr H. J. Pilbrow, who is also chairman of the "British Trade Review," has put at the disposal of the Dominions, free of rent, the ground floor of this building during the period of transformation. During this last week the New Zealand Government Publicity Department and all the Produce Boards have co-operated in arranging a "Dominion of New Zealand Produce Shop"—these words being displayed in large coloured letters across the front. The public are invited to walk inside, where they may see an exhibition of Dominion produce and learn a great deal about the attractions of New Zealand, both in scenery and sport. There is ample accommodation, and those responsible for arranging the display have made an excellent one. Butter and cheese take an important section of the premises, and meat and bacon are represented. by models — nevertheless attractively represented. The minor products also have their place—passion fruit, crayfish, kauri gum, skins, honey, eggs, tongues, oyster soup, toheroa soup* dried milk, and rugs. A section is specially devoted to The World's Best Sport and Scenery," but the walls of the whole shop are tastefully decorated with photographs and dioramas, and the windows contain enough of interest to attract large numbers of people. Fortunately the position of the shop is back from the stream of traffic, and a crowd of spectators which will certainly assemble there during the next month could not be accused of obstructing the traffic, for the road on the north of the cathedral is a right-of-way for pedestrians and not for through traffic.

"British Trade Review" The proprietors of the "British Trade Review" invited a number of guests to the opening ceremony this afternoon. This was not in the shop itself, but on the premises of the hosts and the Mercantile Exchange and Club. Among those present, beside the High Commissioner, were Mr David Jones, Mr R. S. Forsyth, Mr H. E. Davis, Mr H. W. Castle, Mr J. B. Wright, Mr F. Deverill, Dr. T. Mill, Mr F. T. Sandford, Mr H. T. B. Drew, Mr W. D. Lysnar, Mr lan Donnelly, Mr L. L. Watkins, Mr M. B. Esson, Mr D. R. Reid, Mr T. B. Ching, Sir George Paish, Mr D. M. Mason, M.P., Sir Percy Harris, M.P., Mr T. Reynolds, Mr H. J. Pilbrow, Mr H. Pynogar, Mr W. B. Pickering (president of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce), Mr J. S. Campbell, Mr R. Jewson, the commercial counsellor of the Belgian Embassy, Mr D. Mullen, Mr Bryan (Ministry o£ Agriculture and Fisheries).

All the guests sat in comfort and were ready to listen to what turned out to be a flood of eloquence. Thereby hangs a tale. The chairman was Mr F. C. Goodall, editor of the "British Trade Review," who is also secretary of the Sound Currency Association. The important members of this association appear to be members of Parliament of the Liberal party, and three of these M's.P. were among the r.peakers. Mixed Politics Sir James Parr led off with a speech lasting three-quarters of an hour, in which he emphasised, of course, the encouragement of Empire trade, and especially New Zealand trade. Mr David Jones followed with an equally eloquent speech, but not so long. Then came the speeches of the Liberal members—Mr D. M. Mason, Sir Percy Harris, and Sir Robert Hamilton—followed by a speech frcrri Sir George Paish, the economist, who frankly belongs to the old school of free traders. The members of Parliament explained how they were just as much interested in Empire trade as any other party, but that the encouragement of loreign trade was just as important and necessary t'> Great Britain as the encouragement of Empire trade. With a sano ~ und sound currency policy throughout the world the free exchange of trade would be resumed and the Dominions would reap the benefit from this. After the High Commissioner's frankly Imperial speech it was rather amusing to hear the other point of view, and to hear New Zealand complimented on selling her butter at so low a price. However, it was all very friendly and pleasant, and did not interfere with the main object, which was to thank Mr Pilbrow for putting his property at the disposal of the Dominion. Sir James Parr spoke of the unpardonable ignorance that was displayed in some parts of this country in regard to the Empire. He appealed to the Education Department of this country to introduce into its school curriculum a sounder teaching of Empire geography. Mentioning the conferences which he, Mr Jones, and Mr Forsyth were having with Mr Walter Elliot (Minister for Agriculture) on the subject of meat, the High Commissioner said: "We are getting along very nicely. Mr Walter Elliot is not so bad. Any Scotsman present will understand what I mean. We may hope for some solution of the meat question which will be satisfactory both to the Home country and to the Dominions."

"Best" Butter | Sir James went on to speak more forcibly about butter. A week of two ago Danish butter was selling at 5d a pound more than New Zealand butter, and the people in the Midlands and the north were buying it. "There must be a screw loose somewhere," he said. The people in the north liked to have the best, and when they asked the retailer the price of butter he replied: "The best is Is 2d and Empire is 9d." The people were put on their mettle and they took the "best," and the "best" was foreign. He did not believe in the brand "Empire" on butter. He believed in the country of origin. Objections were raised to the country of origin; it was said it was impossible. He did not believe it was impossible, and it was the duty of New Zealand representatives here to overcome these difficulties and to see that fair play was given to the best of Empire produce. The High Commissioner finally spoke of the proposed restriction of exports from the Dominions, and gave the point of view of the producers of the Dominions—that restriction and quotas meant that great new countries which were not half developed would be handed back to nature—to tfte wilderness.

Several young Auckland men have flouted convention recently by walking in Queen street in shirt sleeves, with coats carried over an arm, states the "New Zealand Herald.", The majority, however, remained slaves to a convention and were uncomfortable in the intense heat. The exceptionally hot weather of the last few days has also resulted in the revival among women of the practice of not wearing stockings.