"LOCAL INDUSTRIES" WEEK.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 173, 15 April 1908, Page 8

"LOCAL INDUSTRIES" WEEK.

; . ♦ -j. ■ -| [FURTHER PROGRESS OF THE SCHEME. DISCUSSED BY INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION. "Local Industries" Week was' the great topic of discussion at a meeting of the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association last evening. There wcro present, the President, Mr. F. C. Crease (in tile chair), Messrs. A. W. Newton, A. Brown, H. H. Seaton, T. Ballinger, L. R. Partridge, G. Bull, C. Palliser, S.'Brown, G. Norton, S.'S., : Williams, and R. D. Haworth. j The secretary (Mr. H. F. Allen) stated_that bi had written acquainting the Hon. W- "all.Tones. with tho project, and asking if the Government would allow 'railway excursion fares for industries week. The Minister replied that ho was inquiring into ithe matter and would gi/e a definite answer .later. The secretary also stated that Australian Natives' Association held anf annual display in Melbourne similar to those proposed for New Zealand, except that thoy hold their exhibition in a building, with fireworks and other attractions. He had written to tho Secretary of the Association informing him of tho New Zealand proposal, and. asking-for information with regard to tho Melbourne function. . . ' Mr. Seatonymovcd formally that tho date o? the Wellington display he from Juno 4 tj 10. This was seconded by 'Mr. Newton, and agreed to. i The secretary said that Auckland'proposed to hold tho display during the visit of the American fleet, when they oxijecfed to have 30,000 visitors to see the warships, as well as 12,000 visitors in their midst from the other; side of the ocean. , j ... -; 1 The secretary said that ho had circularised all the manufacturers, and. though thero had not been time as yet to receive formal replies, many of them had told him verbally that they greatly approved , the project; and would do all in their power to assist!. .The same views had been expressed by shopleepers. Mr. Seaton asked whether the displays would comprise purely local manufactures, or , products of tho Dominion.! If the wider range woro chosen it would assist., shopkeepers very 'greatly in making a. good display: !. It was agreed that a Dominion and not pro-, vincial display, was intended. ■ Mr. Norton said he wanted to make a dis-. play of boats, but tho smallest of his craft moasured 22 feet, and the shortest sculls .were 10 feet. ;It would not be j easy to get. such exhibits into a shop windoT: Mr. Seaton feared that-not even the largest could afford space for such a display. Possibly the Association yould be willing to take the Skating Rink, or some, such building, in addition to shops for the exhibition.of boats, boilers, and other .large articles. Mr. Palliser that tho Government might lend the drill.shed. Mr. Seaton said tho idea had been to hold an exhibition in a building next '.year, if tho shop displays this year proved successful. Tho secretary stated lhat both Auckland and Christchurch, after careful consideration,! had decided on stop displays in preference to an exhibition. -/.'lf ' somo articles could not be shown in shop windows, there wcro so many, others capablo of display that the result. should bo - quite . effective. . Mr. Seaton said thaj a number of shopkeepers in different. trades had expressed ' their willingness to gjvo up/the whole of their windows for tho purpose. ! ■ The secretary read a j letter from the Mosgiel Woollen Company; offering to exhibit blankets, '■ hosiery, flannels, _ and , rug's, arranging for their Y own window space and for' a proper display. ' .He had received similar); letters from .other woollon companies, tho important point being that the manufacturers did not look to the Association to proyide shops for their displays, but would Ideal with their own clients. '• - j : ' After, further, discission, Mr. S. Brown moved.:—\ j- ! "That the Wellington Industrial Association, in conjunction with the Wei- . lirigton;'Shopkeepers'-• Association,,'-have : determined to hold) a week's-display of colonially manufactured, goods; that such shop display! shall commence-. on - ; June 4y-'and continuo for one_ week. Tho ■ Wellington Industrial Association and " Shopkeepors' Association iwill provide " tho necessary streamers. Manufacturers ■who intend to take part in the display are. requested to make arrangements as to their .''exhibits and tho dis- ,- play, of them." I, . V. : Mr. Seaton said that the | motion looked as if tho Industrial Association liaitl gone very cold on tho schome. i,; ' Mr.- Brown explained that it was-never intended that the Association i should accept responsibility, for exhibits. That being so, it was desirable to Imake'the position clear from the outset/. By advertising his. motion in tho provincial papers,! witE. any further information which it might be necessary to afford, the Association woulil notify-maiiu-, facturors. and others: in' tho 'most practical way. It was impossible- to circularise, oyery* one. ' An intimation might •te added'-that /those unable to arrango for spaco should consult tho secretary. | ' ... ; ■;Mr. Newton thought that' it- would be'. dis T couraging tov.the manufacturers 'tf -all the responsibility was to' be thrown oii; them•'at this stage. . Oyer ' 200 circulars.' had been sent out already,' akd, he' thought. that the method of circulars] would s&im more courteous than an advertisement.'! He proposed that':—, ' ■, '• |,j" -. ■.-. v . "A circular shsduld be prepared, which could also be advertised ini the- papers, ' ' stating, that '.the J Industrial' and, Shop- , keepers' Associations -had' arranged to .' hold a shop' windows' display of Dominion goods, during the week from. June 4 to 10. "Manufacturers 'are respect-. .fully invited;' to arrange j with their'■; clients for window space, j display of goods, .etc.; and those not able to do . s this will" be assisted by' tho' joint secre-. t'aries to gain/this end."' : j This motion was seconded' by..Mr.. Seaton and adopted unanimously, Mr.. Brown withdrawing his proposal: j"