N.Z. PRODUCE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1934, Page 2

N.Z. PRODUCE

A DISAPPOINTING DISPLAY

A BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR

(Per Press Association. —Copyright.)

DUNEDIN, August 4

Disappointment with tlie display made by New Zealand at the British Industries Fair, was expressed by Mr A. H. Allen, who returned tbday after a visit to Great Britain. All the constituent members of the Empire, said Mr Allen, had .stands at which samples pf fclie products of those countries could bo purchased at a small charge. Australia, for example, had samples of (tried fruits, butter, and biscuits on sale at 2d a packet. On the New Zealand stand, however, there was nothing for sale. Indeed, the display was not of commodities produced, but of “dummy” samples of them. New Zealand lamb was advertised with a “dummy” carcase that was anything but inviting. The attendants on all the other British Empire stands were neatly uniformed, whereas the New Zealand stand, at most times, had only one woman on duty, wearing ordinary dross.

“This was occurring,” Mr Allan continued, “at a time when our butter was realising about 60s per cwt, and when a special effort should have been made to bring its quality before the British public. Australia realised this, and its effort resulted in samples of butter being, purchased all day long every day 'the fair' I ,was open. I feel that if New, .Zealand : is to have a show at all, it should be equally as attractive as those of other parts of the Empire.” Air Allen added that he thought those responsible for selling New Zealand butter in London should endeavour to persuade the proprietors of London restaurants to purchase the New Zealand product, and sell it at a fair price. At a time when New Zealand butter could have been purchased at 7d per lb, restaurants were charging Id a pat. As 52 pats went to the lb, the charge was 4s 4d per lb. The British public should be induced'to eat more butter, and surely if it could buy three pats instead of oiie for Id, the demand for New Zealand butter would, (iq, stimulated, and. the restaurant ~ proprietor would still be left a, handsome margin of profit. 1 ' •