LOCAL MANUFACTURES

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 143, 11 March 1908, Page 10

LOCAL MANUFACTURES

PROPOSED COLONIAL DISPLAYS. SCHEME BEFORE INDUSTRIAL 'ASSOCIATION. A novel' suggestion of the Canterbury Industrial Association, for the institution of a " local industries week" in cacli of the large cities for the display by shopkeepers of special New Zealand manufactures, was discussed by tlio Wellington Industrial Association at its meeting last evening • A letter, was read from the Secretary of the Canterbury Association stating that at that body's annual meeting, the matter of a display of local manufactures in shop'windows for one .week every .year, to be known as the " local industries-week," was brought forward, and'very favourably received by tho Association and tho Press. Tho proposition was that each large shop should be asked to mako a display of one particular Now Zealand manufacture. It was thought that a colonial display in all the large centres would have a much greater effect than if confined to Christchurch alone. It had been suggested that the end of May would be a convenient time for making such a display. The, Government might be'induced to 1 run special excursions to the various cities, which would tend to advertise the movement. The' Association would be glad to hear if the Wellington body was inclined to take the matter up. The communication was productive of a very interesting discussion.' The Chairman said that the idea appeared to him an excellent' one. They wanted to educate tho public in regard .to local manufactures, and ,tlie shopkeepers could well do so in this way. Mr. D. Robertson ; said tliat 'he did not know how people wero going to manufacture much more in this country the way things were going now, unle-ss. the man who 'did so was to'go under. He referred to the rising price of timber and other difficulties of manufacture, and; urged that it was necessary, to look somewhat at'the; black side.

Some discussion tooli place as to the. class of articles which'it was proposed to exhibit. Mr. Robert.soil, doubted whether tho shopkeepers, would bp ablo to show in, their windows anything more interesting than tweeds, cheese,, butter, pickles, and such things which it would not,\serve much purpose, to display. - < •

Tho Chairman said that dozens of lines could be exhibited if the retailers took tho matter up ,in. earnest. ■ \ . , 'Doubts, were expressed-whether Wellington would lend itself to advantage to these displays,, tho point being raised that shops' of the samo kind , were grouped too closely together 'forvariety of -.effect.' Mr. S. S. Williams thought that, the project might be taken up in connection with the Carnival week mooted: sonie 'timo ago. There would then be a'large influx "of country visitors,to the city. . Tho' Chairman, .suggested, that the Shopkeepers' Association should be nsked for their opinion, on the matter. In the meantime ho did not think that tho Industrial Association could do much.

Mr. T. Ballingcr said that as far as his. firm's business was concerned; they could not manufacture fast' enough for orders, much less , for display, and, the position was the same in Dunedin.' If tho display was to bo held in Carnival week, it was important to' know" to! what extent the shops' would bo kept open during that period. , .. A member thought that tho retailers could not bo expectcd to close their shops in Carnival wecK, which offered them .a . special harvest. . .

Mr. Robertson suggested asking tho City Council for tho Town' Hall; and holding 'a(io'mbiried display. * ' y. >■ ;■ The Chairman was not . in'favour of: what would practically be an exhibition on a very small scale: Ho do.ubtod whether. could got the hall for tho time when they would want it. '

•Mr. Robertson'thought that tho proposal to refer tho mattor. to, tho Shopkeepers' Association was the- best,'that''had .been madov If .that: body ' 'would tako up tho- matter.'-the Industrial Association .could assist'them by asking manufacturers to' supply 'the .goods for oxhibitiqn. . ,i Mr. Ballinger formally moved that, tho be referred to the New Zealand Shopkeepers' Association, and dealt with again by the'lndustrial Association after receiving their reply. • Mr. C. Carter '■ seconded-the' motion, .'which' was adopted unanimously. J■. •>. •' It was understood'that the Secretary, (Mr. H. F. Allen) would also explain the proposals to tho President of tho Shopkeepers' Association in a personal' interview..