"OUR OWN MAKE."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 216, 5 June 1908, Page 6

"OUR OWN MAKE."

NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIES-WEEKo . the opening day. Wellington has a quick-moving public, and it is only on rare, very rare, occasions that they can a fiord the time to linger in knoto before shop windows. Yesterday was the exception. Before at least a doxen shop-win-dov.s little crowds of people gathered to gaze in a semi-fascinated fashion at the elaborate displays made. And what were they? Merely goods ins do in Now Zealand, on tho premises as it were, and the interest so displayed seemed to have been created by the novelty of so muck prominence being given to goods of our own make, as distinct fiom those imported. -.Without going into the question of judicious advertising it would appear that tho local product is often;'kept unduly in the background, whilst import-vj articles from overseas are thrust under the noses of purchasers., That old prejudice against " our own" in favour of things foreign is not a healthy one, and it is honestly believed that the displays of New Zea-land-made goods now being made will da much to weaken it in the eyes of discriminating people. s • - \ Uhief among the shop shows must be accounted .the excellent assortment of woollen goods—blankets, rugs, tweeds, : underwear, hosiery, etc., which at least half a dozen business promises have elected to exhibit' as their contribution ttowards the industries gala'now in progress. • Very satisfying in this class-of goods are the magnificent rugs, as good as any in the world. With such rugs ana blankets as are turned out by New, Zealand mills, one feels prepared to. brave the cold of the most rigorous winter, and if Lieutenant Shacklet'on, who .is 'now. enduring, the frigid perils of an Antarctic winter, has not. been supplied with'such apparel, someone must have blundered. . Everyone knows, or should know, that New Zealand can make boots and shoes, not of the commoner makes only, "but ' really "dressy" footwear, liuilt on the latest pattern American and English lasts. A good display of such goods was noticed in more than' one shop.' ' . In Manners Street was observed a magnificent display of locally-made candles, rrranged most effectively. Alongside was an appetising show of hams, bacon, canned and potted meats. •' '

A seedsman made quite- a remarkable show of vegetables of enormous dimensions, indicating the . fruitfillness of tho soil—from whence comes .everything. One window displayed a. devotion to'flower-pots ,of all shapes and 'sizes; another exhibited a glittering array of -' locally-manufacturcd.' jewellery of tho most artistically delicate' designs: Cleanliness' is an essential to' life in New Zealand, and it was not surprising to cover a capital show of soaps of various colours, strengths, and scent posing among our manufactures. Shirts of all tints, shapes, and. '•' stiffnesses," iilled two or three windows, telling their own tale. The displays of New Zealand-made jams, conserves, bottled fruit, aiid vegetables, are a distinct temptation, and quite a notable display of condiments—sauces,- chutneys. pickles, spices,' curries, essences,' etc., all locally prepared (if not locally grown), filled the'show window of a city grocery. Those tired of the monotony of a single life, should inspect a Cuba Street display of wedding-cakes. An inspection would settle tho question at onco and for all, and having taken the step no advice could be mora appropriate than' to visit .the establishments •of local furniture and cabinet-makers/. Those prepared to dye are given an opportunity of: witnessing how it should be done, but | those to whom such a. fato is farthest removed, and who live the full life, should not miss tho opportunity of viewing a fine exhibition of billiard-tables and appurtenances. '• • ■ • Gas stoves and gas fittings form it-he basis of one. display—comforting accessories to any home, besides which there are ranges of various 'sizes arid-' shapes to'"be seen 1 for'tlio looking. , v In . connection with ''Industries .Week" excursion fares are .boing charged, over tho Govornment and Manawatu railway lines today'and to-morrow to bring the curious and enterprising to town. . • ORIGIN OP THE MOVEMENT.; [n'r TELEGRAPH.—PIIESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchuroh, June,4. Industries Week" began to-day,'and most of the shops are making good, displays of goods of colonial manufacture.

(BY,. TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL: CORRESPONDENT) Christcliurch, Juno 4. Speaking to a '"Press" representative, Mr. T. 13. Jones (president of the Canterbury Industrial Association) said that Local Indiatries Week was the outcome, of a suggestion made at a meeting of tho Industrial Associar tion some time ago to consider the question of the advancement of Canterbury. It was proposed that displays of goods should be made in the shop windows of tho city. The members of the association entered into tlie scheme heartily, and it was decided to communicate with' tlio other assanations in New Zealand with'tho object of holding similar displays contemporaneously in other centres. There is no Industrial Aosociatiou at Dun'din, and the movement consequently was not taken up there. Local manufacturers on being approached by members of the Executive of the Canterbury' Association -agrced : to furnish goads for display., while tho shopkeepers interviewed consented to their windows being.'used for the purpose of making tho displays, and in,order to avoid any possiblo friction the' selection of goods and windows was made by ballot. The Trades and Labour Council and other organisations were supporting the associations heartily.Next year they expected that instead of bay-, ing to call upon shopkeepers and manufacturers to ask thorn to assist they would b® calling upon the * association with offers of goods,and applications for windows. '