WANTED-SELF-HELP.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1911, Page 4

WANTED-SELF-HELP.

Three weeks hence the Wellington Exhibitaton is to be opened, with speeches, music, and all good wishes.- , It is another effort to induce New Zealanders to have faith in their, own countrys*s manufactures. Th& proper, healthy development and expansion of somo have i been hindered by a popular preference for imported wares, lfc is natural to expect a New Zealander to favour his own country — and thus favour himself— if the quality of the goods is right and the price is right. The instinct of self-preservation shoidd influence him to do his best to encourage those industries which are calculated to benefit the people on a souzid basis, but unhappily these islands haasbour a great number of merely nominal New Zealanders, including a proportion of those born here. These persons believe it is "smart" to insiston, foreign goode, whataver the quality. Tiiis regrettable short-sightedness, which works back against the "smart" person, has been noted and deplored by manufacturers. Some of the captains of in♦chistry have fought steadily, with an increasing measure of success, against ; ! blind prejudice. Others have been apt #to stand aside, moan and groan, and J'look pitifully to the Government doctor Ho prescribe the right medicine for e,veryJ'body. A strong public opinion is want'fed for New Zealand industries, and this 'opinion cannot be manufactured by any v legislative machine. The goods themyselves have to speak up for their makers. ■Quality tells, and it tells more when it ••is adequately helped by enthusiasm an 'those who are out to conquer the public. It is not enough in this noisy ago to quietly put quality into work. There is a, mighty din in the market-place. The goods that are worth the people's favour have to be worth proclaiming. JExperienco has proved that people will go for the article which purports to bfi the "best bargain," whether it is produced by Engli&h or German firmts, Chinese or Japanese. The New Zealand manufacturers' task is to convince the public that they are offering the " best bargains." Wellington's Exhibition is well on tho way. The committees are busy, and the chief commissioner "(Mr. T. Ballinger) and the secretary (Mr. H. F. Allen) are haying strenuous days and nights. A good showing seems to be assured, but wow— «, good doiug— hm» to be guuraa*

teed. Tho exhibition will have to be much more than a casual distraction in a quiet season. It will not be enough to present just a spectacle to citizens and visitors. Tho manufacturers will have to supply bouls for the bodies of the exhibits. Tho great need is a memorable thrill for the people, an unmistakable impression that tho manufacturers are in earnest. It is an opportunity to hit tho public Hard, and every day of it should bo intelligently used. Let the local captains remember that their brethren of Auckland are preparing for the "best ever" in 1913. Auckland is eager to have an exhibition that will eclipse everything of tho kind in this country's history. Wellington's enterprise is comparatively modest, but it is big enough to greatly benefit the manufacturers if they heartily bestir themselves.