NEW ZEALAND MADE

Evening Star, Issue 22343, 20 May 1936, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND MADE

FINE QUALITY OF LOCAL GOODS FIVE HUNDRED WINDOW DISPLAYS In striking fashion the good quality of New r Zealand-made goods is being prominently brought before the general public just now in the window displays that form the principal feature of New Zealand-made Week. Retailers in the city and suburbs have gone to a great deal of trouble to produce attractive and artistic dressings in their windows, and this fact is much appreciated by the manufacturers, who realise that it is through the efforts of retailers that their products are brought to public inspection and appraisement. Though the quality of New Zealand-made goods has been known for some years, the manufacturers are wise in their decision to advertise their wares year by year. Altogether apart from the stimulus given to industy as a result of this publicity, citizens generally must feel it both interesting and encouraging to view the concrete evidence of national efficiency. The shop-front displays impress with their wide range of articles that are manufactured by local labour, and in many cases with local material. The tasteful arrangement of the window dressing has added to the attractiveness of the display, and it is a definite pleasure to fill in an hour or two in the streets inspecting the results of this year’s publicity campaign. As in former years the woollen mills are strongly represented by goods that should make a particular appeal at this time of the year. No finer rugs, blankets, or underwear are manufactured in any other part of the world. Obvious, too, is the high standard reached in the making of furniture, and there are a hundred and one other examples ’of what local tradespeople can do in the way of equipping the home from cellar to attic. Foodstuffs are also largely represented in the display, there being nothing more wholesome or nourishing than New Zealand products of this kind. Leather work, confectionery, and stationery are but a few of the "many other items that deserve mention.

It is clear that New Zealand is getting nearer the self-contained stage in her development. This, at least, is what the goods shown in the shop windows this week seem to indicate, and it is good to learn that the articles being manufactured are particularly suitable for local requirements. Statistics show that the number of industries has been increased, hut in some measure the rise in the figures is due, not to an increase in the ranks of the manufacturers, but to the fact that many exisiting manufacturers are making new lines which wore formerly imported into New Zealand. The effect of this policy should be to lead to further employment of New Zealand workers.

Altogether about 500 retailors in the city and suburbs are participating in the displaj', which is a very creditable one. A'fc nights during the week the main streets are illuminated in spectacular fashion by over 4,000 coloured electric bulbs,' and several of the business establishments have added to the general effect by outlining their buildings with lights.