MOSGIEL WOOLLENS AT THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

Evening Star, Issue 10791, 28 November 1898, Page 1

MOSGIEL WOOLLENS AT THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

♦ [From Our Special Cokiiespondext.] LONDON, October 22. " A 'ae 'oo " was the word al the Imperial Institute this week. The New Zealand court presented quite a lively appearance owing to the exhibit ion of woollen goods from the Mosgiel factory. The show was brought about by Mr Thomas Mackenzie, who in his twofold capacity of governor of the Institute and business representative of the colony, turned the Ins.-ule to practical account, and gave New Zealand manufacturers a boom. In the course of a chat over a glass of whisky he learned that Messrs William Nicholson and Co. had in their store a large quantity of Mosgiel woollens which had been sent over at the time of the Jubilee for sale, but which, being undisposed of, were about to be returned to the colony. Mr Mackenzie was determined not to let it- be said that goods of the quality for which Mosgiel is celebrated in the colonies could find no market in London, and, with his usual energy, arranged a display at Hie Institute jm-t lis the first winter fogs are warning people of the necessity of wrapping up warmly. Accordingly last Monday rugs, blankets, flannels, shawl's, "Wakatipu," "Taiaron," " Monowai," "Mospiel" had it "hot time" in the New Zealand court. Mr Nicholson was on hand with the invoice, Mr Mackenzie at the suitable time with champagne, the AgentGeneral with the oratory, and the representatives of the woollen trade (including iiarslmll and Suelgrove, William Whitely, Shoolhred and Co., Harrod's Stores, Army and Navy Stores, Junior Army and Navy Stores, John Barker and Co., Civil Service Stores, Thomas Wallis and Co..Hope Brothers, Rylands, Sons, and Co., I. and R. Morley, Debenhiim and Freebodv, Bradburv and Grealorcx, David Evans and Sons, Scott, Sons, and Co., Loman. Merrv and Co., Maple and Co.. and Peter Robins-m and Co.) came, saw, eulogised—;:-:d pureha-c<l. WhileJc-ys bought all the flannels, and exploded an intention of " repeating " the order al the nunc price; and Mr J. Alexander, of New Zealand, purchased three pairs of blankets and half a dozen rugs. A Her due inspection of the goods the party adjourned to the Australasian Conference Hall for mutual congratulations. The Agent-Genera! proposal I success to the Mosgiel Factory and I ho VvV'llcn trade of New Zealand, and thanked l'-e Institute authorities for their reedy aid. Such exhibitions would greatly brnclii both the Institute and the public. Mr Mackenzie. in rcplv. invited tin expression cf opinio! from the'members of the trade presold on ii<<' quality, get up. and style. Experience had convinced him that, although the New Z-.;-land worker received higher wages than his English brother lie gave in return a bolter day's work, and hence, with its other advantages, New Zealand had a chance for doing trade in England in goods manufactured from raw materials, of which she possessed an abundance. Five members of the trade then pronounced judgment, the general verdict being that the quality of the goods was h:[rh but the price too expensive for the general run of trade. There was, however, a limited ' demand for goods of that class among the people who placed quality before everything. At the price nothing belter could be had here. A market could be found for the goods ll only they were placed in the hands of energetic salesmen. They had selected some parcels from the exhibits, and would introduce 11 c. goods to their customers, and hoped to be able to place future orders. Mr TCobins thought the blankets were of beautiful texture, but the price pro!;::;;i;ve. For ii similar article at half the price il-c-rc would be a good chance. The rugs were superior to anything made here. The flannels were quite"'iO per cent, in value above what could be produced in the Old Country. Mr Pullen, who is the representative cf one of the, largest London warehouses and has had experience' in the woollen trade in Victoria, considered'that there was a character about the Nov.- Zealand woollens thai was a cut above all others; they were the finest in color, in texture, and design. They were somewhat exclusive goods, and were practically beyond the reach of the majority of people, but there was a large class in this country to whom the goods would recommend themselves, and he did not think the price would make any difference to th.eir successful introduction here. What was wanted was to get thun into the right channels. Personally, he would rather have a genuine article at double the price than an inferior one at half the price, and he thought the Mosgiel Company would eventually gain by keeping up the quality. Lieutenant Mnll'by, the Secretary of the Institute, expressed regret for Sir Frederick Abel's absence, and hoped that the Conference room would be used frequently by other gatherings of a similar nature. As the show has received favorable notices in most of the papers and was attended by a large number of the trade, the Mosgiel Company have received a valuable adverfisemcr.i. During the last few clays Mr Mackenzie has had several inquiries about the goods, and further orders have resulted, one buver expressing his opinion that he had no idea that the goods were of such high quality until he heard the verdict of the experts. At the same time New Zealand manufacturers must not be too sanguine. Buyers here are very apt to purchase for the sake of novelty 'and to make something of a special show in their windows. There may, however, arise, a demand for a special line of Mosgiel goods, if the company only follow up the show and keep themselves and their manutaclurcs in evidence. Bui a small parcel every now and will not produce trade; the supply must be constant, and the trade and the public must know where to get the goods, which should be kept continually under the buyers noses. Good wine may need no bush, but good blankets require plenty of " push." The show proves that the authorities of the Institute are willing to afford facilities lor displays cf colonial produce, thus carrying out the" original intention of those who lounded the Institute. If live colonials lil;o Mr Mackenzie are placed at the head ot aliairs. and the colonics take advantage of il:e opp.iihmr ties thai, the Institute affords for showing their products, the "white elephant" may vet become the outward and visible sign ol the commerce of the Empire. Allied industries should from time to time arrange a combined show—e.g., the woollen manufacturers of New Zealand, the wine trade of Aufralia, the rubber trade of Africa, the dairy produce of Australasia, and so on. These miniature and specialised exhibitions would attract the respective trades inlereted in them. The colonial producer could not of course expect to get his show for nothing, but would have to pay a small fee for his stand, just as exhibitors do for their stalls at Earls' Court, and, if practicable, a commission on the orders directly resulting from the exhibition. Thus tue Institute might be made to pay its way. and become, instead of an antiquated museum of colonial "cast-offs," the fostering home of Imperial industry and commerce.