AMERICAN TYPEWRITERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 February 1926, Page 5

AMERICAN TYPEWRITERS.

IN BRITISH GOVERNMENT

OFFICES.

THE KING ASKS WHY

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT. LONDON, Feb. 18.

An amusing incident occurred during a tour of the British Industries Fair by the King and Queen. A Salvation Army lass begged a donation for the self-denial fund. Their Majesties stopped and. the King smilingly felt in his pockets, while the Queen looked in her purse. When the King and Queen lookhelplessly. at each other and discovered that they were penniless, members of the entourage came to the rescue with a handsome contribution. The King purchased a fountain pen, insisting on a broad nib. Becoming interested in a mechanical race game the King hacked the white horse and the Queen the black and others backed horses of different colours. There was loud laughter when the black won and the white came last.

Their Majesties watched the manufacture of a tenuis ball and were delighted to'learn that British balls were used at the reeent Cannes tournament.

While the King was inspecting the exhibits lie was informed by the sole British typewriter exhibitor that typewriters in the Government offices were of American make. Turning to "Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister (President of the Board of Trade) the King asked: “If other Governments can buy British machines, why cannot they be used in our own offices ?’ ’

Sir Philip was taken by surprise and replied that he would have the matter inquired into. The King pressed the point, whereupon he was informed that the salesmen were British exservicemen. If a Government order were received it would mean the employment of one extra for every British machine sold. The Kink said he would see that the matter was looked into immediately.