LOCAL GOODS POPULAR

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2806, 27 November 1931, Page 7

LOCAL GOODS POPULAR

MARKED PREFERENCE SHOWN. EXPERIENCE AT DANNEVIRKE. A Dannevirke business man, speaking to a “News” reporter from behind his counter, said that there had been an aw’akcning of the public consciousness in Dannevirke to the necessity of buying New Zealand and British goods. Whereas about a year ago customers were quite indifferent regarding the country that manufactured the goods they purchased inquiries were now frequently made. In this particular line of business women largely do the shopping for their own requisites, and they are now showing a marked desire to foster local and British industry. Continuing his inquiries, the reporter was informed by the manager of a large drapery establishment that ladies had shown an inclination to forego their demands for exclusive dress lengths, when informed that material was not of New Zealand manufacture. Exclusive orders were a difficulty in the drapery trade and the loyalty to New Zealand goods was of assistance. This manager said that a window display of New Zealand hosiery had stimulated a demand for the local manufacture. He also said there was no need to go out of New Zealand for men’s ties. The manager of another drapery establishment said he would not say that any active demand had come from the public for New Zealand or British goods. There had, however, been a marked increase in the trade in woollen material. Turning to ironmongery, the “News” representative was informed that customers were frequently emphatic in demanding that their purchases should be of British manufacture and not American.