MINISTER’S APPEAL

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 65, 9 December 1938, Page 13

MINISTER’S APPEAL

Buying New Zealand-Made Goods

CO-OPERATION OF PUBLIC I SOUGHT By Telegraph—Press Assoeiatimi. I G Rl-1Y Ml >1 "I'll. December S. The Minister of Industries and Conimeree. Mr. Sullivan, stressed in an interview today the duly of everyone in New Zealand lo give greater preference 1,, New Zealand-made goods. Aller mentioning the campaign recently sei going by the Govertiliieut to stimulate increased buying of New Zealandmade goods. he said the campaign's sue- , cess could only be measured by the readiness of tin' response by the general public to I lie appeal. "The average man when, he goes I

shopping," he said, "is inclined to take ilia first; thing offered that seems to be what he wants. lie is not: like his wifi', who easts a very critical eye on the goods and makes shrewd comparisons with tlie values obtainable in oilier shops. I am not suggesting that our menfolk should try to develop all tlie arts of shopping to tiie same degree as womenfolk, but one tiling they could all do quite easily and ought to do: They should always ask if New Zealand-made goods are available. “Consider the woollen industry of New Zealand, one of the greatest woolproducing countries in the world. Of necessity the greater part of tlie wool Is exported to be manufactured into clothing. In New Zealand, however, we have many factories making suitings. underwear, blankets and so on. A large number of workers gel a livelihood in these factories and this livelihood depends to a great extent upon the support: given by the people of New Zealand to the products of these workers.

“We are all aware that the average man purchases his woollen articles without, giving any consideration whatsoever to the country where they are made, and as a result vast sums of .money are sent overseas in payment for manufactured woollen goods, whereas this money could be kept, in New Zealand to pay the wages of workers in this country. If our menfolk would give more thought to this matter and insisted on the woollen goods they bought, being New Zealandmade, not only would those workers already engaged in the woollen industry benefit, but the whole community would gain. Furthermore, there would bo greater opportunities for other workers to (Ind good employment, in the industry. The Government wants to see production increased to the fullest extent possible, and every man in the country can lend his weight in this particular direction by demanding New Zealand woollens the very next time and at. all times he is buying these goods." The .Minister pointed out that there was in New Zealand a competent and highly-organized boot and shoe trade. On the other hand, there was a tendency for people to consider they could not; get the best fitting or best-looking shoes 'without, going overseas. He did not hold that opinion, and was convinced that, the New Zealand-made i shoe was equal in appearance to and better in wearing quality than the ‘ average shoe imported.

Buyers’ Reluctance. The industry had gope through some bad periods of depression with conseqitetA loss of wages to tlie workers because of tlie reluctance, or rather refusal, of tlie workers of New Zealand to purchase boots and shoes made by their own people. If everyone when purchasing a jitiir of boots or shoes were to say lo the shopkeeper, “I want New Zealand-made shoes,” they would be doing an inestimable service not merely to the manufacturers and hide and. skin merchants, but to all Ihe workers engaged directly or indirectly in the manufacture of boots and shoes.

The shop assistants of the Dominion. Mr. Sullivan said, were in a unique position to render a very great service to New Zealand. It was they who actually sold Io Ihe great array of purchasers the goods bought, in such great quantities every year. They- were often very helpful to shoppers who were not quite sure in their own minds just r.har they wanted, and the advice given to I.uyers was usually appreciatively received. He would suggest to the shop assistants that, at, all times they should show customers goods made in New Zealand factories. A word in season from a shop assistant very often meant, the sale of the New Zealand article instead of Ihe imported. It would be frequently found that just b.v moiitioning a particular commodity made in New Zealand the purchaser would be reminded of his duty to his fellow workers and would need no persuasion lo exercise the right choice for Dominion-made goods. So to the shop assistants, the Minister added, lie appealed to liny New Zealand-made goods themselves and. push the sale of tiie

products of their fellow-workers In preference to (those of overseas countries. They would have the approval of the employers, the Government, and the consuming public. What a great thing it would be if every member of the New Zealand Workers' Union carried out. to the full the advice printed on the back of his membership ticket, “Buy New Zealandmade Goods.” The responsible officers of the union were fully convinced that every worker should wholeheartedly support the campaign inaugurated by the Government to encourage the greater use of Dominion-itnade products.

The approach of Christmas was an excellent opportunity for everyone ro show practical loyalty to New Zealand, a loyalty which should not merely be lip service, but should And expression in practical efforts. “When buying presents for our friends, let: all. resolve that all the presents wo buy shall be the products of our own factories,” he concluded. "This will the gifts bring happiness to a wider circle than those who receive them, and extend back to the many people concerned with their manufacture.”