PIANO TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 72, 26 March 1935, Page 11

PIANO TRADE

INCREASING EXPORTS

NEW TYPE FOR NEW ZEALAND

(From our Correspondent)

London, Feb. 23, 1935.

. Piano manufacturers divide their attention between the British Industries Fair and the Ideal Home Exhibition. Those who sell direct to the public prefer to be represented at the. latter. Representatives of the firms showing at the British Industries Fair intimate that their trade shows decided improvements. One representative stated that their sales show a 30 per cent, increase this past year as compared with the sales of the previous yeai\ The firm employs 140 men on full time. Other well-known firms say their export business is gradually improving, business being done with practically every [country except the United States and Canada. Purchases from Continental countries are few, except for Holland; but South Africa, Burma, and Ceylon are beginning to buy fairly freely. It is several years since New Zealand imported English pianos, but this year the trade will begin again. The London agent of a well-known New Zealand firm has made a number of purchases for the Dominion and he anticipates a gradual renewal of trade.

, In many of the homes of to-day space is , a consideration. Flats and small cosy houses have set up a demand for a piano which_ takes up little room and may conform to the other furniture of the room. One of the largest and oldest piano manufacturing firms has set itself to meet this demand, and has evolved the "Minipiano." If one took an ■ ordinary upright piano, and cut away the top at the level of the keys, boarding up the top—this would be the shape of a minipiano. Though it is only 2ft. 9in. in height, 4ft. in length and 15} in. in depth, this size is no' criterion of its performance. It is not just a small version of a piano, but definitely a new musical instrument with a musical .technique of its own. It is available in a variety of designs Ito suit different styles of furnishing, and there are several colours to choose from.

Anyone who heard the music which came from a certain stand at the exhibition before noting the instrument that was being played would have thought that' a good type, full-sized piano was being played. It was a distinct surprise to find the music omanating'from the compact, tiny instrument. For school purposes it is especially convenient as the teacher may face his class just as though he had only a small table between Mm and his pupils. Its price in this country is from 23 guineas to 31 guineas, according to the type of wood used in the case. Several of these miniature instruments have been ordered for New Zealand. ~

' This' is the third year that the, semicircular baby grand pianos have been exhibited. They have evidently been appreciated in this country because of their more convenient shape, while possessing all the advantages of the grand piano type. New Zealanders will also have an opportunity of seeing' a few of these in the near future. Evidently, it is felt that the Dominion is sufficiently. recovered to absorb a few of tho more expensive instruments, for two or three of tho baby grand types from well-known firms have been ordered for shipment.

'Trices-- in- the-United Kingdom are very reasonable to-day. -For a very useful overstrung piano 31 guineas is