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Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3461, 13 October 1913, Page 7

THE PACKING IMPOST,

Mr Wickham suggests, as one means of meeting the wishes of the customers, that British manufacturers should quote always prices inclusive of packing, which is in any case an essential charge in fulfilling an order. "The New Zealander,” he says, “is apt to consider anything extra to the original price an extortion. It Ls only by humoring these prejudices, and, wherever possible, accepting instead of scoffing at conditions and stipulations that seem to be absurd that the password to the defences may be obtained . ” Another point upon which the British manufacturer is lectured is liis disinclination to accept any responsibility for, say, macninery, until it is actually in working order. Mr W’ickham savs: “To sell goods and not- be willing to take any responsibility for their quality after they have left the works may seem sound business, but it may at times also be interpreted to mean lack of confidence in the real value of the goods delivered.” And therefore he advises manufacturers to be ready, if necessary, to wait for their money until the goods they have sold are actually in working order and giving satisfaction. - The flying circuit of Britain afforded a good example of the kind of tiling here referred to. A British firm of engine manufacturers had delivered to two prominent aviators who were to take part in the test one of their best machines. The aviators wished to have a two hours’ trial pf the machine before taking final delivery ; but the manufacturers were adamant. Thev would hear of no trial at all, and ended in the most peremptory manner by taking back the machine and losing fiance of having its capabilities demonstrated in a most valuable manner by competing in the race. There is a lot in the report touching the relations of principal and agent, one of the burning questions bearing on the exvension of British trade. SPECIAL LINE*>.

11l the body of his report Mr Wickham makes a few references to special lines which are of interest.. The reduction in sales in belting other than leather is mostly at the expense of the United Kingdom. The position in boots is gratifying. Britain now has 94.4 per cent, of the business. Of leather goods fh general most of the trade is British, except in ladies’ cheap leather bags, which are chiefly • German. Small imports entered under provisions and groceries are seen to ’be almost entirely supplied from Great Britain. , • In cocoa the trade is divided between Great Britain and Holland, the latter having rather more than onehalf. We have four-sevenths of the total trade in brushes, Germany being the foremost competitor* the States of Japan following. In fancy chocolate Switzerland supplied £56,000 out of £107,000. t „ .... , , In regard to cement, Mr W ickliani says:— . . “Such import as exists is British, but the local industry is strongly entrenched and is yearly reducing importation. It is said that the duty could now he dispensed with, as the good quality of the local make is now recognised. ” Government departments will buy no other and oversea freight and the cost of casks alone act as protection to the New Zealand products. In paints, ground but not mixed, we have almost the whole trade, and an increased percentage, hut in ready mixed paints we have lost ground in a largely increasd total import. In station ry there is competition from Germany and the United States, and in bicycles there is still practically no non-British competition.