NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY. SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1931. BUY NEW ZEALAND GOODS

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1931, Page 8

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1931. BUY NEW ZEALAND GOODS

Registered for Transmission Through

the Post as a Newspaper.

We make no apology for reiterating advice we have offered on a number of occasions. “If you cannot get New Zealand-made goods to satisfy your wants, buy British goods.” It is gratifying to learn that this principle is being increasingly adopted, but New Zealanders have a long way to go in this respect before they can apply to themselves the satisfying unction that in all their buying they are guided by the dictates of commonsense, because if this were so, foreign-made goods would not occupy so large a place in shops and warehouses and in the homes and farms of the people. It is to be feared that the extent to which secondary industries have developed in New Zealand is not realised. Analysis of facts and figures would surprise the average man. The industries are only in their infancy, hut, it properly nourished by the people of the Dominion, they j cannot hut grow to lusty matur- [ ity, providing work and wealth | for a large population. On the j other hand, neglect by the purchasing public during the days of tender growth, when they re- j quire protection and feeding, cannot but result in the'stunting, if not the actual destruction, of! the industries. This is a matter to which New Zealanders cannot too often, or too seriously, give thought. The importance of secondary industries may be gathered from the following facts: In 11)29, the last year for which statistics are available, there were 6736 factory establishments in New Zealand, employing 83,680 persons, to whom was paid

in wages - tin? hugest! nr of £37,088,745. The cost of materials used was £50,870,-070. and the value of the products was £93,172,222. These figures are impressive, but, as we have suggested, they are only a fraction of what, if adequately supported, they should he in the not distant future. New Zealand s n ealth must, of necessity, be mainly drawn from its primary industries. This demands preferential treatment of the exports of our principal customer —Great Britaiii—but that in no way conflicts with the slogan, “Buy New Zealand Goods.” It is of vital im-portance-that our secondary industries should be built, up by every legitimate means. There is no longer any excuse, on the grounds of quality, for neglect of New Zealand-made goods, for it is generally admitted that a very high standard of excellence has now been reached. Growth of the market for New Zealand manufactures will make possible utilisation of the latest machinery and methods. In this way a standard equal, if not superior, to that of imported goods will be made possible. The ends for which the people of every community ought to strive may be summarised as follows: — L To foster local industry and to pat-

ronise local business people. 2. To buy Dominion products if local products are not available. 8. To buy British goods if Dominionmade articles cannot be obtained. 4. To create a market in New Zealand for the produce of our land. 5. To cultivate a spirit of patriotic pride in the industrial achievements of our own country. 6. To foster a demand by every New Zealander for New Zealand products. 7. To encourage our Government to assist in giving greater scope for employment of capital and thus provide more employment, and more careers for the rising generation. 8. To educate the young as to the advantages and- industrial possibilities of the country in which it is their good fortune to live. If every New Zealander assists in attaining these , ends he will help to huild np ,a better and more prosperous Dominion for himself and his fellow-country-men. It is surely worth while to do so.