BRITISH-MADE TOYS

Evening Star, Issue 21621, 17 January 1934, Page 9

BRITISH-MADE TOYS

" SWEEPING. THE WORLD " ACTIViTY OF FACTORIES. . British. 1 toys were sweeping the world’s markets last. year. Never before had the factories been bo busy. In many districts makers were unable to get enough workers to fill orders already placed, N and, had to refuse further, demands. „ German toys, which a few years ago flooded British markets at - Christmas, are now entirely ousted. At the London works of one' of the largest of the toymaking firms, 300 extra workmen were engaged'for three' months, and a fouraim* addition to the factory is being erected.. : “ One of our outstanding toys is an exact-to-scale Puss Moth aeroplane,” a director said. “It flies 15 miles on a single charge, and makes a strong appeal to hoys. Scale models of famous racing cars are also much in demand, and yfe have no difficulty in keeping out 2,500 employees busy. Our export . trade has gone up enormously in the past year.” • ' -Lazy*Bones and Mickey Mouse dolls, are among the most popular soft toys this year. “ We-have not been so busy for. some years,” said an official. “ Our trouble is that we cannot get enough skilled workers to fill the orders on hand.” More than 90 per cent, of the toys in the shops and stores are British. In a Regent street toy shop, mechanical toys arc still favourites with boys, and the Teddy Bear is still the girls’ first choice.' The first line of British-made mechanical toys to sell at 6d 'is to be seen here, and includes tanks and tractors. At another London factory 25 per cent, more’people were employed than for the Christmas rush last year. “ A few years ago Germany led the world in ihe production of mechanical toys, but Britain is leading the way to-day,” said the manager. . “ Our most popular line for boys is a clockwork locomotive from the funnel of which showers of sparks rise as the engine races round.” Even in the hard doll market, hitherto controlled by Germany, British manufacturers are more than holding their own. Started only a year ago, a factory at Aylesbury is now employing fifty workers. It is turning out about 250 dozen hard dolls every week.