ADVANCE IN FAVOUR

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 3 January 1930, Page 9

ADVANCE IN FAVOUR

NEW ZEALAND’S PRODUCE OPINIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN HAWERA VISITOR IMPRESSED. The opinion that New Zealand and her products were becoming more widely and favourably known in the United Kingdom was, as intimated to a “Rawer a Star” reporter during an interview to-day, an outstanding impression gained by Mr. L. A. Rone, of Hawera, ctui'ing 'll is recent visit to the Old World.

As already reported, Mr. Bone returned to Hawera this week after an absence of six months, some four of which were spent in England and Scotland. A period of seven years had elapsed since Mr. Bone’s previous visit tx> Great Britain, and he was able to make interesting comparisons concerning conditions prevailing there.

“I found it exceedingly pleasing and interesting to note that New Zealand produce is steadily gaining in fa\our and is becoming more widely known to the consumer as such,” said Mr. Bone.

“EMPIRE BUYING.” Good poster advertisements were iii evidence in many towns, lie continued, and showed a reporter a photograph of a hoarding erected at Barnstaple calling attention, under the slogan “Empire Buying Means Empire Building,” to the progress made by New Zealand during the last 50 years and presenting the claim of New Zealand products for the patronage of the British buving public- “Such posters are displayed in the more populous centres where the middle and working class people live,-’’ said Mi’, Bone. "In some factories they are displayed inside the works, and the workpeople are exhorted to buy from those countries which are purchasing the goods made in the factory. This is a direct personal appeal and is having a good effect.

“In many butchers’ shops New Zealand lamb is especially shown and advertised for sale by large, very conspicuous posters. It is also much cheaper than the English article. “In some of the largest departmental stores, such as Harrod’s and SelfIridge’s. New Zealand produce is displayed in the provision departments. A particularly fine display of New Zealand apples and honey was made in one store. There is no prejudice existing now in regard to our primary products. “New Zealand owes a great deal to Sir Janies Parr as High Commissioner in Great Britain for bis efforts to extend the campaign in favour of New’ Zealand produce. Speaking at a dinner in Manchester recently Sir James said: ‘You are doing well out of New Zealand, but New Zealand is not doing so well out of you. We are the best customers in the world for British goods, but not one shop here in every eight sells New Zealand stuff. It- pays you best, to do trade with countries under your own flag, even though the markets are similar. What we say is give your own farmer the first chance,, but if lie cannot supply your wants, it is only fair to ask you To buy your goods from your own kith and kin.’ ”

QUALITY ESSENTIAL. Referring to an increase of 10Q per cent, in tlie sale of Empire foodstuffs at London exhibition sales, Mr' Bone said that tlie New Zealand Government stands at a recent North London exhibition attracted a great deal of attention from housewives. An official at the stand informed Mr Bone that the increase of butter sales over the previous year’s exhibition was 100 per cent. Butter was selling at tlie rate of 1000 pats a day—a great tribute to the excellence of flavour and nutritious value. That necessity existed for keeping quality up to a high standard was evidenced. however to Mr Bone when, in conversation with a retail grocer, lie learned that the retailer who previously stocked nothing but New Zealand butter and carried on a good trade in N.Z. cheese also, had latterly gone over to Canadian owing to a temporary decline in the quality of the New Zealand products. The same retailer had been pleased to find the new seasons New Zealand butter was of splendid quality and Mr Bone had assured him there should bo no need for complaint in future. The closely populated industrial and mining centres of Great Britain, gave tremendous scope for the marketing of products such as those of New Zealand, said Mr Bone. “Let it be judically marketed, well advertised, and 1 the quality maintained, and New Zealand’s prosperity is assured.” Together with dairy produce and honey. New Zealand fruit was also becoming popular and public attention to its quality was called at the ninth .Imperial Fruit. Show, opened by Prince George at Birmingham during October, when the New Zealand Fruit Board secured the 1 prize for ten boxes of any dessert apples, grown in the Southern Hemisphere and held in cold storage.

LONDON’S TRAFIC PROBLEM. Showing the reporter a newspaper illustration of a mile long traffic jam in the Strand. Mr Bone said that one ■of the greatest problems facing the municipal authorities at Home, particularly in London, was that of eon trolling the ever-growing volume of traffic in the streets.

All types of motor vehicles were in creasing. It was said! that 200 new commercial vehicles were put on the streets of London every week and with the extensive use of motors for commercial purposes and the thousands, of buses, trams and l private cars of every description constantly on the city thoroughfares the volume became enormous. An acute problem was presented in providing for the adequate control of speed and) direction of such a mass of vehicles and, more importantly, the care of the lives of pedestrians. Quoting a London writer, Mr Bone said: “London is to-day suffering from nrterio-selerosis. Her stream of traffic cannot make its way through her arteries. Woe be to the man who* ventures up the Strand in any wheeled vehicle. His day’s engagements are like.lv to be badly upset.” Mr Bone was, however, impressed greatlv by the wonderful control customarily exercised by the London police. ' “To mention some of the more congested ouarters. take, for instance. Oxford and Piccadilly Circus, Oxford and Tottenham Court Road corner, the Bank of England corner. Cheapside. Holhorn. Kingsway. Oxford and Regent Streets, the Strand, or Piccadilly.” said Mr Bone. TRANSPORT FOR WORKERS. “To cross any of these streets without the signal is simply to court death. On the other hand, if the pedestrian will only wait for the signal lie is absolutely safe. No driver dares

to pass the upheld white gauii tie tied arm of the law. At Oxford ajid !Piccadilly Circus the traffic is controlled by four policemen who work in absolute harmony, and during all this rush and control of traffic the policeman is constantly being asked questions . and directions from the public and with a smile and a nod directing worriedlooking folk on the way.” Another problem which was daily growing to greater proportions was that of transporting London workers to and from their homes. Even London’s wonderful system of buses, trams and underground railways could not cope efficiently and expeditiously with this traffic.

“It is expected that several millions of pounds will he spent in improvements to the tube system of railways,” continued Mr Bone. “Extensions are to be made in all directions. As new areas are opened up and new suburbs come into being, so new means of transit have to he provided. Places which a- few years ago were farm lands are to-day suburbs of up to 20.000 people and streets of. up-to-date brick homes and self-contained shopping areas. London is growing at such an enormous and alaiming rate that one is almost fearful of what the future holds for so immense a city.” METROPOLITAN COMBINES. As a retail business man Mr Bone was particularly interested in the steps being taken by London establishments to cater for trade requirements and the convenience of customers. Referring to tlie big departmental stores, where practically anything purchasable could be secured, he described them as being marvels of organisation and affording an object lesson in the courtesy of the attendants, shopwalkers and* managers and the endeavours made to satisfy the requirements of customers. The window dressing and methods of ■ display were strikingly effective, and considering the facilities of the stores as a whole he thought they were without equal anywhere else in the world.

In London, as in other cities, the use of electric light signs was extending. said Mr Bone in referring to devices adapted to keep the claims of various commodities constantly before the public. As a typical illustration Piccadilly Circus presented a dazzling and wonderful sight.with its many illuminated signs which shone nightly in the heart- of London.

A very big feature in retail business was the multiple shop system, which was gaining ground in all parts of Great Britain. “It seems to be the order of tlie day to combine, especially in the industrial world.” continued Mr Bone. “Sir Alfred Mond. who is now Lord Melcliett. is the head of a huge combine which handles chemical industries. The combine is one of the biggest in the world, and has assets valued at £80.000.000. Endeavours are at present being made to centralise and bring branches of industry under similar orga ni sa tion. ’ ’ DWELLINGS FOR. WORKERS,

Throughout England and- Scotland Mr Bone found evidence of endeavours being made to provide improved housing accommodation. Local authorities were making big efforts to clean up slum, areas and were building, as residences, two-storey, semi-detached and detached buildings of brick, providing tbe usual conveniences and garden plots, the aim being to provide slum dwellers with tlie amenities of more congenial surroundings and induce them to take a prick in their homes. Rentals of such dwellings of five rooms were moderate and within the means of the tenants.

In conjunction with this system private property owners were building blocks of houses and appointing to each block a supervisor who could keep in touch with the tenants daily and give assistance to them. Mr Bone saw several of these erections on estates round about London. They were gradually being occupied bv a good, tenantry and though occasional difficulties were at first experienced with the removal) from the slums to the new environs. 1 the method must eventually result in highly beneficial results to the wellbeing of the people concerned. “It seems to me that there is a better day coming for the people who' used to be stigmatised as ‘shimmies, ’ ”i said) Mr Bone. j IMPROVING CONDITIONS. Referring to another class of home. | Mr Bone mentioned that old ancestral! houses in London such as “Dorchester] House” were being dismantled and replaced by blocks of residential flats provided with restaurants, . dance-j rooms, garages, and every conceivable convenience. For some of these flats' right in the city the rentals would be as high as £2OOO a year. In comparison with his visit of seven years previously, Mr Bone was impressed with the greatly improved dressing and appearance of working class people in the streets, particularly the children. though at the same time the unemployment problem was acute and great poverty still existed in London and all of the cities.

He had been pleased greatly in noting indications that the people of the Old Country were becoming more temperate in their habits. The amount spent annually on allcoholic liquors throughout the United Kingdom had decreased greatly during recent yefif?. Very few people, as compared with former conditions, were to. be seen on the streets under the influence of liquor and amftng business men he noted a growing tendency to meat for a cup of coffee during the morning interval instead of spending that period at an hotel bar, RAPID RAILWAY TRANSIT. Included with other remarks concerning various impressions of .bis visit, Mr Bone expressed keen admiration of the British railway systems, the speed with which travellers could reach a desired; destination and; tlie comfort provided. Travel at from 5Q to 60 miles an hour between terminals many rniies apart was the usual rate of progress and only the most extraordinary of circumstances could cause delation from the timetable or interfere with the perfect organisation. At the same time, he thought that, considering the comparative difficulties presented by the country to be traversed, New Zealanders had nothing to be ashamed of in the. Dominion railway system. •" . , An important development in the railways radiating from London, said Mr Bone, would be the electrification, of a line between the metropolis and Brighton. .Commonly called “London bv the Sea,” Brighton was the home of many people who jourmed daily to business in London and with the electrification of the lines which was expected to take place in the next two vears carriages would run frequently on the “shuttle” system and would cover the journey of 50 miles in 50 minutes.