The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 1908. NEW ZEALAND MADE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 214, 3 June 1908, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 1908. NEW ZEALAND MADE.

Even if it could serve no other purpose, the forthcoming exhibition of the works of .local industry would be justified by the attention which it will assuredly' induce the public to bestow, even temporarily, and perhaps only gropingly, upon' the puzzles of economics. It is more than likely that some people will think themselves into all kinds of Ciltious and unsound conclusions upon Free Trade and Protection, hut it is better for people to think incorrectly than not to think at all. The great thing is >to get ideas in motion. It is not, however, as a fiscal demonstration that the exhibition has been conceived. The object of the promoters is the twofold one of showing the public what New Zealand can do, and is doing, in the way of manufactures, and of appealing to the public to patronise local products. Most people, we believe, will be astonished at the variety of the goods that are now produced in this country.' Everybody knows in a general way that the industries based upon wool, meat, and iron are large in this country, and that New Zealand can, with some reason, claim to make tho best rugs, canned meat, and agricultural implements in the world. These and half a dozen other industries of the obvious and universal kind make up the sum' total of the average New Zealander's mental picture of " New Zealand at work." His' view will be greatly widoned during the next few days, and his astonishment will probably warm him into a pride and interest in .that industrial flido of his country of which ho kjiows so little at present Not much,

perhaps, will be exhibited that did not figure at the Christchurch Exhibition, but whereas on that occasion the New Zealand products were overshadowed by foreign exhibits and the side-shows, tin whole of tho limelight in the coming display will bo focussed upon the fact that the goods shown are there because thiy arc of local manufacture. _ A constant complaint' of the Australasian Protectionists is the " prejudice " of the Australasian public in favour of foreign goods of every description. There is, in New Zealand at any rate,.a good deal less in this talk of " the foreign fetish " than might appear. Few people buy goods of foreign manufacture for tho excellence that is implied in their alien origin. There are always good reasons for the purchase of every pot of English 'jam' and every pair of American boots. Reputations must be made before they are admitted, and it is waste of time to complain of any public preference for a foreign article unless the local article is as good and as cheap, and the local manufacturer Has convinced the public cf this. Our manufacturers already enj d_v a very good measure of tariff protection. Their duty is to perfect their methods, so as to be able confidently to declare that if foreign goods are still preferred above, their products the public is either foolish or prejudiced. Merit alone, however, is by no means sufficient. Virtuo is not its own\reward in the world of industry. Pains must be taken—it is for the manufacturers to devise the ways and means—to convince the public that the local goods are the best worthy of the'r purchase. In the case of many products a single trial by a purchaser settles the matter in favour of the local article. In very few cases is the preference for the foreign manufacture unsupported by some good excuse. The determining fac : tor is not always price or quality. Upon' neither of these points is the New Zealand article often at a disadvantage. 7t is most frequently style and fashion that enable the foreign manufacturer to hold his own. There are fashions in furniture and bedsteads no less than in hats and overcoats. Indeed, it is beginning to appear, that some of the great foreign manufacturing industries keep their command of tho market almost sololy through the skill with which they manipulate the attractions of constant variety. We have said that the prejudice in favour of imported goods is not by any means, so deep or so extensive as it is often gloomily declared .to be, but, that such a prejudice does existj to some extent is undoubted. Some of it' should be removed by the impending shop-window display, which should make' the good advertisement thai may be expected to encourage people to patronise/local manufactures on every possible'occasion.