MANUFACTURERS AND THE EXHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 104, 26 January 1939, Page 10

MANUFACTURERS AND THE EXHIBITION

To the many sound reasons for,a full representation of New Zealand manufactures at the Centennial Exhibition, circumstance has added another. The Government’s import control policy, while obviously not designed primarily in the interests of the manufacturer, has presented him with an opportunity unique in New Zealand’s industrial history. Before him lies a domestic market drastically cleared and adjusted in his favour. Whatever modifications may be found necessary before the control scheme is in working order, and whatevei the duration of the restrictions, the manufacturer’s position today is both favoured and favourable. Indeed, to a large extent the future of controlled imports lies in his hands. It is for him to fill the gaps made by restrictive measures; it is for him to gain the confidence and approval of the public by showing what he can do. The building in Wellington of a £500,000 shop window in which the manufactured products of the Dominion can be displayed at best advantage could not have been undertaken at a more oppottune time. It would be strange, therefore, if anything more than a timely reminder were required to galvanize those who have not yet booked space. Such a- reminder was given in Christchurch on Tuesday by the Minister of Industries and Commerce when he referred to the “insignificant part” so far taken by the industries of Canterbury. “The exhibition,” he said, “will give a magnificent opportunity to focal manufacturers to present the people of this country with a true picture of what New Zealand can produce, and of the enterprise and skill of New Zealand manufacturing industries.” He could have added with equal truth that the tens of thousands of New Zealanders who will visit the exhibition will judge the scope and merit of their country’s manufactures by what they see in the Industrial Court. A sound indication of the value of exhibition display is provided by the fact that the manufacturers of Otago, who took so prominent and memorable a part in the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition of 1925-26, have booked considerable space at Rongotai. Together with the manufacturers of Wellington they have set an excellent example. It remains for Canterbury and Auckland to follow suit and fill their quota of the 25 per cent, of remaining space. For, as'the chairman of the exhibition board of directors, Mr. Hislop, has pointed out, however attractive the ultimate showing, it will lose much in value and effect if it is not comprehensive on a New Zealand-wide scale. And the losers will be the manufacturers themselves.