INDUSTRIES WEEK.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 109, 10 May 1909, Page 8

INDUSTRIES WEEK.

LANGUID SHOPKEEPERS. WAITING FOB, A LEAD. Inside two days Industries Week will dawn here, and though it is mentioned that at least 150 shops will assist in the display of New Zealand goods, it is difficult to notice any great bustle of preparation among the shopkeepers. Mr. H. F. Allen (secretary of the Wellington Industrial Association, which is p7i> moting the exhibition) and a subcommittee have delivered some armfuls of hand-bills and posters, but the cry of "made in New Zealand" does not yet ring through the capital, and the big print does not yet arrest the eye much in any street. ''Some of the shopkeepers may wake up about Friday," remarked Mr. Allen to-day. Many of them may follow in the footsteps of some of their brethren of last year. They waited till they saw what the "other fello\v" was doing. Some enthusiasts had the interests of themselves and New Zealand sufficiently at heart to have their shop-ironts attractively" decked out in New Zealand manufac tures early in the week, and their oxample was gradually copied, but the week was about over before it had properly begun. Hence the week was not very memorable. How could shopkeepers hope to fire the public when they themselves lacked fervour? Apparently not a few of the shopmen expect Mr. Allen to be a species of deus in machina, ordering everything, accomplishing everything. They have a tendency to sit down and leave all the hustling and bustling for others. Notwithstanding the present evidence of apathy among some people who would benefit by the popularising of home-made goods, Mr. Allen says that the indications point to a successful week. One local 'firm alone has arranged for the specia 1 exhibition of its wares in a dozen shops, and enquiries for information have come from Martinborough, Featherston, Petone. Lower Hutt, and other places. Referring to the listlessness and thoughtlessness which characterise some shopmen, 'Mr. Allen referred to a recent incident. A woman entered a shop and asked for an article. She had the choice of English or colonial, at the same price, and she asked for advice about the (jualities. "They're both good," said the indifferent shopman. "I'll take this one," said the customer, and the salesman scarcely looked to see which one had been selected. However, two sharp eyes, owned by a New Zealand manufacturer, observed the transaction, and the shopkeeper was promptly treated to a lesson on his duty to New Zealand, his duty to himself. Mr. H. T. Norton, manufacturer, will show (in Armit's window, Lambton««ay) the new sculls that will be used by Webb and Arnst at Wanganui on 22nd June. The sculls with which Webb vanquished Tresidder will also be visible as well as the ones wielded by Whelch in the beating of Fogwell. At the request 'of the Industrial Association, the printing offices of The Evening Post will be open for inspection during Industries Week. Country visitors are advised that the best time for looking at the machines and the various processes will be between 3 and 5 p.m. Those who desire to go through the building should communicate with the publishing department or Mr. Allen (111, Customhouse-quay).