LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14980, 28 April 1909, Page 6

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

There will be no difference of opinion as to tilt© excellence of tho locally-made goods exhibited in th© shop windows this week. N»w Zealand industries

have never received the encouragement to which they are entitled from our own people, and it is only by displays of ox'cellent workmanship that the public can bo brought to realise th© advantage of patronising the articles turned out by local factories. In certain lines there is an undoubted prejudice against colonial manufactures. The' president of the Industrial Association, in conversation with one of our reporters, particularly mentioned boots in this connection, and it is, wo understand, the practice now to sell boots made in Now Zealand as imported. Why people should prefer American and English boots of the better qualities to th© local article is incomprehensible until we realise that the public are given no opportunity of recognising tho colonial shoe. A Merchandise Marks Act, under which every manufactured article offered for sale would have to boar a stamp showing the country of origin, might do a. great deal to break down the prejudice against local manufactures. In tweeds, again, the about town professes a preference for imported woollens, generally without in tho least appreciating the excellence of tho locally-manufactured goods. Moreover, imported tweeds are very often cheap mixtures parading as all-wool. Th© retailers are in some measure to blame because they push the sal© of imported goods to the detriment of New Zealand articles, the margin of profit on a bright-looking shoddy being greater than that on wholesome, honest colonial material. However, th© Now Zealand manufacturer is steadily coming into his own, and these annual displays of local industries must have a great educative value. No expert can sea th© woollen goods, th© furniture, ths brushware, the books and tho rest without being impressed by tho excellence of th© workmanship iud the evident thoroughness of C'onial methods. It is only by thorou.-''mess .that the manufacturers in a • 3w country can win their way into tho market, and the New Zealand manufacturers realise the necessity for honesty. Th© Industrial Association has reason to be gratified with the displays that are being made, and we hope that the result of tho exhibition will b© to stimulate trad© in all Now Zealand manufactures.