"MADE IN NEW ZEALAND."

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1909, Page 6

"MADE IN NEW ZEALAND."

New Zealand has looked at New Zealand through many windows during the pact seven days, and it is hoped by the local manufacturers that the gazing made New Zealand proud of itself. Industries Week, whatever the discounting criticism that some commentators may turn upon it, must have helped towards knocking another leg or an arm from the foreign fetish which is still worshipped to an extent that keenly pains New Zealand employers who have to compete against rivals overseas. The week, with wintry weather to hold back the country people, has not been memorably thrilling ; the city has not been remarkably stirred ; the shop-fronts have not been a burning topic at the breakfasttable, but good has been done. Many hundreds of school children have had their eyes admirably opened in the local factories, and have surely had a preference for New Zealand stamped on their impressionable minds. Some thousands of adults, too, have been out -to see and hear, and the attractive produces of this country cannot have beamed in vain upon all the sight-seers. Therefore, though no bands or isolated big drums or national songs, processions, or other adventitious aids were employed to assist the local wares to proclaim their merits, the promoters of the street exhibition must be repaid for their expenditure of energy. The effect has been good, but we believe that it could have been better, if the advice repeatedly given in these columns had been followed. Energetic enthusiasts, with impressive ideas and time to spare, should have been early in the field, using weapons against which prejudice, apathy, languor, stolidity, or stupidity could not stand. There was lacking just a little of an essential something (some call it "ginger") to make the movement thoroughly grip the public. True, there were over a hundred shops resplendent, more or less, with home-made articles, but the effect was not a hundred-shop power. The dark gaps between some of the bright displays have led some shopkeepers to advocate for next year a comprehensive exhibition under one roof. Sound-minded observers declare that the time is drawing near when the captains of industry here, and their supporters, should combine to have a notable collection of New Zealand goods on view, for a couple of months, and the argument has very much in its favour. Such an exhibition, following the "Industries Weeks" of last year and this year, should be like heavy artillery following rifle fire. A large display, which need not be on an expensive scale, would certainly go far towards changing "Industries Week" into "Industries Year." Wellington was to have such an exhibition three or four years ago, but the project was submerged by the international enterprise. However, the men -who were ready then to act vigorously for Wellington and for New Zealand, too, by compelling attention to the value and excellence of local manufactures, are mostly in the capital still. If an exhibition was deemed advisable here three or four years ago, it should be considered even more important' to the life and health of local industries in the near future. Now is the time for preparing to firmly establish the local flag on territory that has been won, and to widen the field of conquest. The idea will probably be discussed very soon at a meeting of the Industrial Association, and we trust that the members will debate the matter thoroughly. " aan^MiiMMHnMaHn

Parliament having refused to grant power to the Senate of the University of New Zealand to confer theological degrees, the Anglican Church itself will now giant them. The matter will be fully considered at the conferences to be held in Christchurch shortly. A commission to consider the question of degrees was set up by the General Synod in 1907. and the report of that commission will be considered at the conference. Other matters to be dealt with will be Maori missions, the English Mission of Help, and the method of election of future Primates.