BRITISH GOODS

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1926, Page 7

BRITISH GOODS

MANUFACTURERS OPTIMISTIC. At the annual meeting’, held in Wellington, of the Now Zealand Association of British Manufacturers and Agents, Mr G. H. Scott (president) occupied the chair, and there was a fairly good attendance of members, representative of Iho various sections of British trade, la moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, Mr Scott stated, and his view was confirmed by other members, that the activities of the association, during the past six months particularly, gave cause for optimism. Mr Scott touched on various matters mentioned in the report, and other topics of interest to British manufacturers and their representatives.

Mr L. Ashcroft Edwards referred to the fact that the word “British” had now become too embracing, and that, as applied to manufacturers, it did not necessarily indicate the product of the United Kingdom.

“Generally speaking, the reports from the sections show that the volume of business during the past year has been quite satisfactory,” stated the)report, “and in many instances shows a eonsideiable increase ,on previous figures. The outstanding features of last year’s trading was the increase of business done with European firms in the soft goods section. The business of all sections in the last half of the year was seriously disturbed by the shipping strike, which delayed and disorganised importations, and also by the unsatisfactory state of the wool market.”

The hardware and fakey goods sections reported that British manufacturers were holding their own, supplying the entire market in the former line, but only partly in the latter. With regard to soft goods, the early part of the year had been quite satisfactory, but the latter end of the year had become one .of difficulty. The amount of Continental manufactures coming in was on the increase, and an increasing number of retailers were giving the European manufacturers larger support. It was very regrettable to note that even when such small margins as 5 per cent existed between the" European and British prices that traders passed over the British. This position was a more, or less recent development, and is in marked contrast to the position which existed during the war period.

The machinery and engineering market had been very active in these lines, particularly in the expansion of hydroelectric schemes of the Government and municipalities, The report regretted to note that in regard to electrical equipment, particularly household equipment, sufficient attention had not been paid by distributors in this country to advertising the British origin of an electrical equipment and accessories. In this section perhaps the outstanding feature was the large volume of foreign goods purchased by local bodies. The position in the motor vehicles trad© was particularly encouraging to British manufacturers. The sales in New Zealand of British vehicles had risep from 4 per cent to. 184 per cent in little over three and a half years. The development had .taken place almost entirely in very light vehicles. The demand for a moderate-sized car suitable for farmers, and selling at popular, prices, was not to any serious degree catered for by British manufacturers, wMch was regrettable. Perhaps the most difficult competition British manufacturers have to meet is in connection with the use of the Empire preference by importers of cars, from Canada produced by American capital partly manufactured in U.S.A. "and Canada.

A resolution was passed expressing appreciation of Mr F. Meadoweroft’s services as vice-president of the association for several years.

After the report and balance sheet had been adopted, the council for the ensuing year was elected as under:— Electrical and machinery: Messrs C. R. Richardson, C. W. Salmon and B. J. Dunsheath. Motors: Messrs G. H Scott, D F. Bauehop, and L. Ashcroft Edwards. Paper and printers’ requirements: Messrs W. E. Jackson and H. J. Tubbs. Drapery and textiles: Messrs L. D. Hurst, C. W. Budd, and W. R. Kirker. Groceries, provisions, and confectionery; Messrs H A. Goodwin, Arthur Rigg, and L. H. .Wood. Fancy goods: Mr H. S. Hart. Chemicals, paints, and oils; Messrs E. A. Christie and M. Ford. Hardware: Messrs G. A. Keal and R. Johnson. Messrs Henry Kember and Son were reelected auditors for the association.