EMPIRE TRADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10566, 20 April 1928, Page 4

EMPIRE TRADE.

SHOPPING WEEK IN GISBORNE.

PLAN S FOR- BUSINESS CANVASS

Aiming at organising a ‘ British Empire Shopping ' Week; m Gisborne, from May 21 to .27, on proner lines, a- representative committee will canvass '.business people during the wcolv to jtlieir tive 'co-operation in yfapischemc. This decision was arrived by a representative public meeting, held in die Borough Council Chamners last night to discuss the proposal. The Mayor Mr D. W. Coleman presided, Mr 11. H, DeCosta, as sponsor of the scheme, said that .thc Idea was for the shops to display for one wer-k all goods mamifaetured in the Empire, and in particular New Zealand products. He expressed the opinion also that the Government should prohibit any goods even from within the Empire being imported into the Dominion that could be produced in New Zealand. If such an import bah was imposed, he said, it would greatly tend to. alleviate unemployment in the Dominion. He ad dad that rugby and hockey organisations were prepared to stage matched in conjunction with the scheme and he suggested that the Womens National Deserve might undertake arranging for an old settlers’ reunion. f\- r I . Th a Mayor expressed the opinion that their first consideration was the organisation of an Empire shopping week and the question of whether goods that could be in the Dominion should be imported, | was beside the point. The scheme Jl was a very worthy one and was tie-' serving of the utmost support rrorn business people. • . . , Miss Rees, in proposing that an Empire Shopping Week be held m Gisborne from May 21 to 2 i. reminded them that it would assist, trade in Gisborne, it would help the Dominion, and it would improve knowledge of the Empire and . it could produce. She considered that little entertainments should be held each day to induce country people to visit the town. The motion was seconded hy Mr H Miller and carried. ' __ _ Tlie question was re-openeu m response to a general request, Messrs -Phillips and Clare expressing the opinion that the gathering was hardly representative enough to decide to have an Empire Shopping Week. Hie scheme had been carried out last year, but had met with very half-hearted response from many of. the business houses whilst only a few attempted a display of the Empire goods. They contended that a committee should first canvass the town find enlist the support ‘or every business house before affirming the principle and if there was not sufficient support the project; could lie abandoned, but it would be disastrous to carry it through, and only a few business places display Empire goods,.. . - This view was: supported .by Mr Pike who said he was certain that shopkeepers would rally to make the Empire .Shopping Week the success'it deserved.

Miss Rees then amended her ureposal to a recommendation to hold a British Empire Shopping. Week from May 21 to 27, and this . was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mrs Terry a committee comprising Miss Rees, Mrs Terry. Mrs Stevenson, and Messrs Pike and H,. Miller, .in conjunction with members of the Chamber of Commerce committee. Messrs H. H. DeCosta apd E. T. Doddrell. T. E. Toneycliffe and J. Chrisp was appointed to canvass the town to . enlist the support of shopkeeper- and report to the next meeting.