New Zealand-made Goods

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 65, 10 December 1930, Page 13

New Zealand-made Goods

Sir, —In your issue of even date Mr. L. A. Edwards is reported to have said at the annual meeting of the Association of British Manufacturers and Agents that the only means of bringing wealth into New Zealand was by the. sale of primary produce overseas. This is a misstatement of fact as there are a number of manufacturing concerns that are prosperous in this country, witho .which we should be in a predicament. Further, the prospects for the New Zealand manufacturer were never better than they are to-day. The slump conditions are passing, and providing the right mental outlook is maintained, we should have our manufacturing activities firmly and economically established within the next few ye Mr. Edwards further states that the economic test is the real test. Quite so. No country can hope to hold its own by the sale of its primary products alone, and this is what Mr. Edwards maintains that we should attempt to do. All progressive countries must, and do, develop both primary and manufacturing industries side by side. If the New Zealand manufacturer had one-quarter the hearing that is given to the farmer, his goods would be foreiriost in the country to-day and unemployment would be at a minimum. As an instance Of .the employment provided and the money distributed by the factory owners, let it be remembered that the latest figures for the Wellington province are that, the manufacturers therein employ about 19,000 persons and pay about £4,000,000 annually. With the loyal support of New Zealanders these figures will be doubled in a few 'years. No other section of industry or commerce can provide so much employment and distribute the wages so evenly as the manufacturer, and any country .ignoring this fact will not progress very far.- ; Mr. Edwards also decries the use of slogans advocating the use of New Zea-land-made goods; evidently these slogans are having the desired effect and it may be opportune to suggest still another in 'the hope that it may help to carry on the good work. So. “Encourage the trade in -New Zealand-made,” and never forget it !—I am, etc., ' ■ “COMPONENT.” Wellington, December 5.