BRITISH TRADE EXHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3127, 4 July 1917, Page 11

BRITISH TRADE EXHIBITION

A GREAT DISPLAY IMPOIITrtNT ADJUNCT TO THE SHOW. One of the most,striking proofs of the fact that British manufacturers are fully alivo to tho needs of the present has uccii produced at tho show, where ono of tho largo halls ,of tho-exhibition buildings has been devoted to tho exhibition of British manufactured goods. Tho great display is tho first of its kind in tho Dominion, and it speaks volumes for tho business capacity of the "men behind tho commoicial guns" at Hawera that such a magnificent educational anil imprcssivo feature, sotting out Britain's resourcefulness in the manufacture of all classes of trade requirements—simultaneous with the great output of guns, munitions, ships, etc., sn jiccesary for victory in tho combats on land, (he air, sea, and nderwator—wag introduced into the plank of 11 ho 1917 policy of the Dominion Wiulcr Show enterprise. . Tho exhibition, though not representative of nil British industries, Js certainly nuo.of considerable merit, and comprises quilo a largo number of articles of daily u?e, oven to the class of stoel implements our soldiers aro using during their trench warfaro in boring out the Huns from Iheir holes. All classes of light and heavy edge tools, sprays, syringes, clinpers, rubber-made goods, long cloths, calicoes,'sheetings. Qannoletles. shirtings, ami other drapery lines, condensed- milk, pickles, tinned fish and meat, as, well as other preserves. Wended teas, knitting machines, chocolates, nnd a great display of sweels, weights, scales, etc.. 100 numerous to mention. In fact, there was something for almost everybody.' and if anyone were desirous of finishing up wilh a little music to end a. "perfect, day" he could be accommodated with pianos, organs, and other musical instrument?. Not only was there a-' splendid response from British manufacturers, but Hawera tradesmen hare entered wholeheartedly into the scheme of imnressing upon the pnblic the utility of British goods for British people, and pracKcallv every shop window in the sired.-- of Hawera has been artistically dressed and decorated for the great occasion of Bvilish trade week. The FUason for tho Display-

Mr. Dnlton, Trade Commissioner, explains that the whole aim snd object of, the exhibition is as follows:—Prior to tho war tho "United Kingdom, was Iho Urgent 'industrial and exporting country in. the world. During (ho war industrial methods havo so improved that in, spite of the depletion of man-power production tu tho United Kingdom to-day in.much, greater ,than it was beforo tho war. After tho war tho majority of the plants which are mow being used, lor production of war materials will be immediately available for the production of articles for general trade. This boins so, it may bo confidently anticipated that'manufacturers in the United Kingdom will bo mora capable than they have over been of supplying to New Zealand those goods which the Dominion, requires! to purchase from ovoreeas. Tho maxim which tho authorities of the. Hawcra Winter Show have accepted, vil, "British goods tor British people/' implies what is an undoubted truth, "that it is to the advantage of the Umpire to satisfy its needs within the ihnpire wherever possible. Apart from tins general principle, it is. a tact that tho general tvado of firms m tho United Kingdom has suffered owing to their -determination to supply war needs- first. II tho onds for wmch the war is being fought aro understood, it will bo realised that manufacturers navo been rendering a service to tho Empire. Tho question then arises whether they aro to lose trade within tho Empire permanently as a result of the rendering of this service. It is outy necessary for wow iSoaland. to boo what goods Uxo United can offer to acluevo their sale. Exhibitions will therol'olo form an important part of tho trade development echomos, and the Hawera Winter Show authorities <aro to be congratulated on their foresight in realising tho fact. The present exhibition is a modest beginning. It cannot presume- to be represeiitativo of all British industry, but it iloes include a considerablo number of important British firms,, and ltvaervos to bring out the larger idea that tho development of British trade in all its branches must still bo a powerftil factor iu Iho dovelop. uionl; of tlio Empire.

ThD Official Opening. < Air. D. J. Goodwin, president, introduced Air. DalCon, wno in tuo couxso of an interesting address prciuced his rc'UiiU'Kii by congratulating tno liawora Winter rihow Committed on its enterprise in pioneering in. JN'ow Zealand an uxiubitiun of tsntish manufactures. Mo understood that eacli year tho directors snowed lurther enterprise l>y introducing' new ideas, and tnis year tho Huwera Winter Know Coniuiitleo had luuiipJied tho greatest idea o: its history, m tact, tow people .in this uistrict or in Now Zealand lully realised tho value and importance ot it. Alter referring to tno great advertisement Hawera had achieved vhTOUgnout iNow liomand as u result 01 tno exhibition, Air. Daltou proceeded to refer to tho importance, of fostering Uritish. trade throughput the Empire, and ne said tuat with this idea in view tho Imperial Government had', soon after the war broke out, organised a.display of British goods, on somewhat similar lines, roalising, of course, that it British manufactures were to bo sold in the markets of tho world they , must first of all be seen. That exhibition naturally was on a larger scale tlian that at Hawera, being lully twelve times the size. At tho same time it -was restricted to Bis particular small trades, and it was therefore obvious that it tho Imperial Government organised ar. exhibition re presenting tho whole of tho British, industries it would occupy very considerable spaco indeed. Altnough begun in a small way, tho exhibition gave promise of dovoloping into ono of very considerable magnitude and importance, particularly in anticipation of tiado when the war was' over. Tho Imperial (Vovernment 'were, as. a matter of fact, determined to organise similar, exhibitions not only in England, but in all the overseas dominions. Hawera, so to speak, took tie "bull by the horns," and in anticipating tho intentions of tho Imperial Government by holding, a British trade exhibition in connection with its Winter Show deserved every credit for its groat ontorpi'i6c. In commending tho oshibition, Air. Daltou expressed tho opinion that agricultural vhows could bo mado good nso of in exhibiting goods of British manufacture. .After referring to the vory groat assistance Air. Hooker, tho Rhow manager, had been to him in arranging tho display, ho said he had pleasuro in opening'tho eighth Winta Show at Bawora. concurrent with tno oponiug of tho first British trades exhibition in New Zealand.'

A Pleased Trade Commissioner. In tho comtso of an interview mill tho 'frado Commissioner ibis ovening, Mi". Daltou expressed. himself to The Dominion representative- us being very pleased indeed with, tho' first exhibition of its kind in Now, Zealand. A special foaturo was Unit tlio majority of tho exhibitors in tho British trade section wore 'amongst tho largest British lira™* » l tbeir own lino of trade, and they wero linns who under ordinary circumstances would mil Uavn exhibited at agricultural slimvs. 'I'lin Tiwion fur their eXhibita; the Bawera show was (tint. t.hoy felt tliiil it was an important departure in British trades interest which made a distinct show, and thai. I.'hey worn associated with other large linns in :i posllioii corresponding <o their own. ho noticed with interest and satisfaction thai; l.ho shopkeepers 'if Hawcra had cordially accepted tho idea, of exhibiting; in l-lioir respective dlmp windows bnlisli raods inclusively dining show week. This action, combined with show cards promoting tlio idea of encouraging British trade, was a further proof. of a Icnown fac.t that throughout Near Zealand tlioro was a very strong feeling 110. I only amongst tho general public, but aNo amongst trader*. 111 favour of Purchasing British goods.

Absenteeism in coal miner, wan considered by tho Northumberland owners and men at Newcastle. It was decided that small colliery committees, instead of un■wioldly group committees, should work a schema tor settlement od matters of acini!,