INDUSTRIES WEES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 3 June 1930, Page 6

INDUSTRIES WEES

NEW ZEALAND-MADE GOODS DISPLAY AT NELSON INITIAL STEPS TAKEN Initial steps to hold a Now Zealand industries' week in Nelson were taken last evening by the Nelson Chamber of Commerce. Those present at the meeting were: Messrs F. I. Ledger (president), C. Griffin, o'. Milner, W. Lock, A. A. Lucas, E. H. Thomson, 'E. B. Mabin, B. Trathen, H. G.. Davis, H. R. Duncan, and the Hon. \V. W. Snodgrass, M.L.O. Mr H. Hurst, president of the Soft-goods' Association,. and Mr Ibbotson, president of the Master Grocers' Association, were also present by invitation. The chairman said the- Hon. W. W. Snodgrass had brought the matter under his notice some time ago, and he asked ■Mr Snodgrass to address the meeting. Mr Snodgrass said the idea was one which all would favour. The more they thought of it the more they must agree that it was a sound one in every way. Statistics showed that 80,000 were employed in factories in New Zealand, and 120;000 in agricultural pursuits. If such an effort led to the employment of' more people in factories it would help to some extent to solve the unemployment problem. An additional factor was that money would be kept in New Zealand and not sent away. In the grocery shops for instance, it would be found that a great many foreign articles were sold, and yet he was sure all would admit that the local product was' superior. Even if the price of the local stuff was a little more, it would pay'local people to support local industry.': There were a. number of factories in.'New Zealand specialising in certain lines which were superior to the imported ones. He hoped the matter would be seriously considered, and that an";effort would be made to get out of thej:;minds of people the idea that foreign goods were better than the local ones. He moved that in the opinion of the : Chamber an effort be made to popularise New .Zealand goods. ' i' Air Thomson seconded the motion.

Mr Hurst, speaking personally said he:was thoroughly in favour of the proposal, but his Association so' far had not!been particularly enthusiastic about the matter. The drapers - throughout New Zealand had made efforts to hold Empire industries weeks, but they had not .been very successful. At the pre-, sent time, however, softs goods of excellent quality were being made in New Zealand, and were something to be proud of. He was sure his Association would do all it could to help the proposal. ;'.■.; ;," Mr Trathen said the Empire goods week had not been a great success in the past, but in view /of the financial condition he thought the time had come when the matter should be pushed. He agreed with Mr Hurst that there were many things now being made fin New Zealand which would hold their own with the imported article. He'Hhought an-industries week would be' supported by the retailers and also 1 by the.public: Speaking as a manufacturer, Mr Grifi fin considered retailers shotild ; p'ush the proposal. He thought the public was gradually realising the fact that it paid to buv New Zealand goods. Mr ibbotson also supported the movement, and thought if a .start was made it. should be continued annually. It was a question of educating the public. The local goods were everything that could be desired both as to quality, artfl-price. At- th,e tinie.of. the grocersl'confei'eli'ce at Nelson -a display of local products was;made, and he thought a. deal of good was doneiin pushingi>local-ly-made products.. He was sure \ui association would give every "'assistance possible. Mr Lock considered that such a proposal would do an immense lot of good in educating the public to buy local products. New Zealand goods should be "boosted'.' for all they were worth, as their quality was excellent. Mr Milner, as >'a manufacturer, heartily supported the proposal, and promised that his firm would do all it could to make it a success.- He hoped, however, it would be confined, to New Zealand goods. His firm, had taken part in every industries week held in New Zealand, and-in special lines he; could say that considerably increased sales had resulted. ■'; . ;.'-•

Mr Trathen .expressed the' opinion that the winter was. the best time of the year to hold.'.the week. . Unless it was arranged shortly it might '-'be too late this year-' ■'.'"<•'';■ -» ' *-' The k motion was then put and *carried. '■■,;'*%s';"' '':,. ''•' '.-'; •• ■• support from department At this stage the following letter to the Hon. W. W. Snodgra,ss was read from Mr Clinkard, secretary of the Department Of' Industries arid Commerce : '■l -have to acknowledge receipt; of your letter of the 6th instant regarding the;, holding of a, Now Zealand Industries Week' in ' Nelson. I interviewed the President arid Secretary of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federa-tion,-who are prepared to assist the proposal, by supplying a quantity of window display cards, slogans, etc. The secretary, Mr Edmonds, is. also prepared to visit Nelson at a suitable date and spend a day or two with the committee which will be appointed, to supervise arrangements. The Department has actively co-operated in these movements, particularly in Dunedin, where the New Zealand shopping window display week is now an annual event. The response to the appeal by manufacturers for Dunedin retailers to co-operate in these-displays is, most gratifying as demonstrated by the increasing number of windows placed at the disposal of manufacturers. In 1928 the number of windows.secured was 274, in 1929 320, and for the 1930 display (which commenced yesterday) New Zealand products are being shown in over 400 windows. For your information I enclose a copy of the report submitted on the shop window, display, held in Dunedin last year. . The report outlines the procedure adopted by the Dunedin-Manu-facturers' Association in obtaining the co-operation of the retailers, and other methods of propaganda to obtain publicity. I shall be glad if you will advise me in what direction the Department can be of further assistance." In the course of some further discussion, Mr Griffin said he thought a committee should be appointed to wait on shopkeepers asking them to make displays. If a satisfactory response was made then Mr Edmonds could bo asked to come to Nelson. Mr Hurst and Mr Tratljen said thai so far as the drapers were concerned, the week should be 'got off as soon as possible. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Thomson, that a committee consisting of the Hon. \V. W. Snodgrass, Messrs C. Milner, C. Griffin, N. Vercoe and the presidents of various retail organisations lie set up to make the necessary arrangements.

It was resolved that the committee meet on Thursday night, and that Mr Edmonds be asked to attend.

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