MADE IN NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13491, 18 May 1907, Page 3

MADE IN NEW ZEALAND.

Sir,—la your issue Vof yesterday I reed with much interest an article. headed, " Mads in Australia." This was an ac- ; count of an interview your representative had had with Mr. J.' M. Redd, president of the Chamber of Manufactures of the Austral inn Commonwealth. Mr. Reid briefly but very tersely instanced what had been dono in Australia to popularise their own local manufactures, and I think some effort 1 in a similar direction would be beneficial to us all in Now Zealand. I presume it is an admitted fact that it is desirable to have local industries ' flourishing in. our midst, thus finding employment for- our own workers, and making ourselves independent of foreign markets. It is true that we already have a large number' of industries established horn The Hon. Mr. Millar, in his recent address, told us that there are now 10,000 factories, employing,- 70,000. hands, in the colony. Largo as these figures may seem, ti:ey could be greatly increased, if th© general public would set ' themselves more earnestly to u?e loda.ly-mado in preference to imported articles. ; I am .told there is a prejudice against the local- production, ana in some eases this is so marked that the colonial-made article can only be sold by being branded in -such' a way as to lead the buyer to think it ■is imported. Of course, this is absurd, yet it is . a fact. The reason for this is difficult to find. But why should this condition of affairs be perpetuated? If it is mutually beneficial to us all to have these various industries flourishing in : our midst, and I believe it is, then let us all as loyal colonists' set to work to foster and encourage a laudable sentiment in favour Aof tho ■■ locally-made article. The Industrial Association,: which has branches throughout the colony, is moving in this direction, and I hope its efforts will receive, all- Hie encouragement they deserve. To this end this association is co-operating with the Agricultural Association, and at the forthcoming Winter Show next week will have a court wholly occupied with exhibits of New Zealandmado goods. These exhibits will no doubt be very interesting, and I hop© will have the effect of . vitalising the desire of the public to patronise local productions mora effectually than has hitherto been the case. Locally Made.