“BRITAIN FIRST.”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXI, Issue 5595, 4 July 1930, Page 3

“BRITAIN FIRST.”

FOR ELECTRICAL GOODS. POWER BOARD’S POLICY. Stating that he had realised that the Morrinsville branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union had referred to the use of foreign, rather than British motors by the Board,. Mr. H. M. Corbett inquired, at the monthly meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board, as to the position. There seemed to be abroad a general impression that a greater percentage of foreign than British motors were in use.

Mr. R. Sprague (general manager) replied that 80 per cent, of the motors in use were of British manufacture. Unfortunately, up till a few weeks ago, there were no small, single phase, pumping motors of British manufacture on the market.

The Engineer (Mr. N. G. McLeod) said that one British firm had made small, single phase motors, but this had been brought out by an American concern. However, a few weeks ago another British firm had started manufacturing this article.

The Chairman (Mr. F. M. Strange) said the definite policy of the Board was to give preference to English but if the difference in price Was too great, the Board could not, of course, go-in for the British article. It was, he added, impossible at the start of the Board’s operations to get all British goods, as many Boards were also in the market, hence the 20 per cent, of foreign motors. The Board had really to buy in the market which could meet their demand.

Mr. Sprague said that the Board was putting in 200 milking plants annually, and it could not always get those of English make. All plants which had been installed had been officially approved. In ordering stocks, it was always the aim to get British goods first. The incident closed by Mr. Corbett remarking that a percentage of 80 per cent. British goods seemed quite good.