NEW ZEALAND'S WOOLLEN GOODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10921, 28 November 1898, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND'S WOOLLEN GOODS.

SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITION. [from OUR OWN Correspondent.] London", October 22. Last Monday, by the courtesy of Sir Frederick Abel, the New Zealand Court of the Imperial Institute was utilised for the purpose of exhibiting woollen goods made in the colony. In a prior letter I informed you how the idea of holding such ah exhibition originated—several cases of goods sent Home foAlie Jubilee were about to be returned to tho Mosgiel Works. Koine colonists thought this would be rather a stigma 011 the colony; Mr. Thomas Mackenzie took tho matter up at once, and the hearty co-operation of Mr. Reeves and Mr. Cameron (New Zealand Produce Inspector in London) was secured. flic leading firms in connection with the trade were communicated with; they readily and generally responded to the invitation to be present, and without doubt were highly pleased with the show of New Zealand products, from the raw material to the manufactured plaid or blanket. Nor was this the only object gained, for every London paper the' next morning gave attention to the exhibition, and spoke of the high quality of the goods. Thus a most excellent advertisement was obtained. All the articles were tastefully and attractively arranged, and Mr. Nicholson was in attendance with the invoice. The value placed upon-the collection was a little over 200 guineas, and specimens of New Zealand rugs, shawls, blankets, and flannels, were represented. The rugs ranged in price from £1 Is to £1 12s 6d, and beside those from Mosgiel here were some shown from Wairuiui and Tairoa; "special merino blankets" were marked at lis Id per pair; exhibition plaids at £1 ss; and flannel was priced at is per yard for white and pink, and at Is 5d per yard for Shetland flannel. Among the large and influential London firlns who sent representatives to view the collection wore: '1 lie Army and Navy Stores, the junior Army and Navy Stores, Civil Service Stores, William Whiteley, Shoolbred and Co., Harrod's Peter Robinson and Co., Maple and Co., Thomas Wallis and Co., Marshall and Snelgrove, I. and R. Morloy, Bradbury and Greatorex, Debenliam and Ffeebody, David Evans and Sons, John Barker and Co., Hope Brothers, Scott, Sons, and Co., Rvlands, Sons, and Co., and Loman, Merry, and Co. While the articles were highly praised, the general opinion seemed to be that they were too good for the English market, and that, in competition with the moderatepriced Scotch manufactures, they would not sell. One firm offered to take the whole as " a job lot." but this offer was refused. The representative of William Whiteley bought all the flannels, and Mr. J. Alexander, of New Zealand, secured three pairs of blankets and about half-a-dozen rugs. After the exhibits had been thoroughly inspected, an adjournment took place to the magnificent Conference Hall. Here, in a happy and humorous speech, Mr. Reeves proposed, " Success to the Mosgiel Factory," and said he was delighted with the display of New Zealand goods, and congratulated those who had so successfully taken the exhibition in hand. He referred to the good the Imperial Institute, for once, had done, in this instance, and coupled with the toast the name of Mr. Thomas Mackenzie.

Mr. Mackenzie replied. He said that as against the higher price paid in New Zealand it was undoubted that a bigger day's work was given in return for the money received, and lie now felt certain that industries using New Zealand raw materials could hope to have a " look in" in Britain. Already the New Zealand Woollen Mills had done » very large trade with New Zealand and Australia, and from what could lie gathered that day there was a prospect of some business being done in England. New Zealand had now some eight or nine factories, all turning out excellent stuff. Mr. Robins, buyer from a leading firm, said that lie had gone over the exhibits most carefully : the quality of the goods was excellent, but the price was beyond what the majority of the trade required. The flannels, although of good body, had not the dressing or soft worked-up surface of the Saxony flannels. The rugs were no doubt good, but again the price was high. Rugs could be bought from Scotch houses at prices below those marked on the goods exhibited, and they suited the trade very well in this country. Mr. Pillion, representing Messrs. Bradbury and Oreatorex, said that he had given most careful attention to the inspection of the goods. He might say that the Mose>iel goods were not new to him; lie had been in the colonies, and was familiar with the colonial trade, and he had no hesitation in saying that it would be hard to beat the gf.cds anywhere. The prices were no doubt high, but the quality was excellent. The goods were beyond tin reach of the million, but all that was wanted hero was the discovery of a right channel.

Mr. Frank Abraham and some other gentlemen spoke to similar purport, after which the party adjourned. New Zealand manufacturers have, by means of the exhibition, obtained the opinion of the trade here regarding the quality and the information that a trade can be done with the right class of people. There is also a very good chance now for an exhibition of woollen goods from the different factories of New Zealand, either at the Imperial Institute or under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Mackenzie informs mi that he will gladly undertake the arrangement of any such display. which, of course, would be on a larger scale than the one above recorded.

HENNING'S TYRES Guaranteed three months longer than any other tyre in the world. Factory: Stanleystreet.