Criticism Resented, But Mission Welcome

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28822, 17 February 1959, Page 12

Criticism Resented, But Mission Welcome

The Tokyo trade mission, spending four days in Christchurch, heard officially, but informally, yesterday that the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association resented its derogatory comment on New Zealandmade goods soon after- its arrival in the Dominion, the council of the association was informed last evening by the'president (Mr J. R. Maddren). On its behalf, he .offered to give the mission every opportunity to inspect Canterbury factories and to have discussions with manufacturers.

“Manufacturers in general are proud to open their factory doors and to show their methods and their products, but when the Tokyo trade mission 'made ‘such an unhappy debut in New Zealand by criticising a ange of- New Zealand-made goods, it instantly put itself off the visiting lists.” said Mr Maddren. “However,, we will put them' back.” ' • To tak a leaqt harmful intent from the mission’s opening criticism. it could be said it was high.ly indiscreet and probably caused by justified excess of zeal to' build up the worth of Japanese products of types produced in this country, said Mr Maddren. For long, there had been a distinct prejudice over trade with Japan, and by its slightin references to the quality of New Zealand goods,-the mission had done itself a disservice. New Zealandmade apparel was considered to be up to world standards; and so were its other goods. “If well founded, criticism is not resented by manufacturers,” said Mr Maddren. “If any consumer has criticism to make of quality, in relation to cost, finish, or durability, he has only to make it through his retailer of direct to the manufacturer, and he will be heard and answered and satisfied.” The New Zealand manufacturer had confidence when he displayed

the “New Zealand-made” sign on his goods. The workers were highly skilled; and they enjoyed a standard- of living incomparably higher than the peoples of the Far East. The economy was adjusted to that standard. Few would care to see the' standard lowered by the importation, dr dumping, of goods produced by lamentably cheap labour. Official Expression The Tokyo mission had not been in Christchurch more than 27 hours betore the resentment, of the criticism of New Zealandmade goods was officially, but informally, conveyed to it, said Mr Maddren. The Manufacturers* Association, and the Manufacturers’ Federation, too, had a duty, to protect its members and its industries from unwarranted criticism, specially that made by visitors with inadequate knowledge of conditions in this country who were trying to push the sales of their own goods. “We want to be fair about this.” said Mr Maddren. “I know the trade mission has come to New Zealand with goodwill, and that it will be fair. We are going to give the mission an opportunity to come into our factories Of their own choice, and, after that, we will hear their comments. We are not afraid of taking them into our factories, because our goods compare favourably in price with those produced elsewhere. We are not afraid to show them how the goods are produced.” Mr C. H. Stockbridge said it was most discourteous of the mission to make untrue statements about women’s outerwear. The mission should have waited until its members had looked round, because New Zealand was not behind in workmanship, colour, design, and price.