BRITISH OR FOREIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19292, 3 April 1926, Page 11

BRITISH OR FOREIGN.

the metal industry. AN ENGLISH SHEET ANCHOR. GREATER STRENGTH POSSIBLESURVEY BY AN IMPORTER. No. VII. One of the sheet anchors of British industry in New Zealand trade is the volume and value of the imports of metal and metal manufactures. Excluding machinery, the Dominion's purchases from all quarters are now worth moro than five million pounds each year, of which Britain has been securing well over 70 per cent. Her share of the machinery which has now passed the three million mark is in tho vicinity of 60 per cent. The following, among the larger items in the last official record, may be quoted with pride, the first figure being the total import, and that in parenthesis being the value of tho share of the United Kingdom : Bar, Holt and Rod Iron and Steel.— £315.701 (£275.092). Bolts and Nut 5.—£94,594 (£73,660). 'Hardware, Hollow Ware and Ironmongery.—£6l,9,244 (£445,821), Corrugated Galvanised 1r0n.—£239,166 {£230.004). Plain Sheet Steel, 81ack.—£177.866 (£177,301). Plain Galvanised Iron. {£350,842). Cast Tubes and Pipes up to 9in.— £73,810 (£71.044). Wrought Pipes.—£4ls,44l (£323,487). Plate and Plated Ware.—£loß,22s ££38,531). Steel Rai15.—£255,669 (£255,348). Bare Copper Wire. —£210,292 (£177,332). Plain Fencing Wire. (£104,466). ' Netting—£l24,lß9 (£121,233). It should bo noted that this list is mainly of bulk metal goods, and it is a pity that it cannot bo continued to show the same overwhelming preponderance of British industry m all classes of machinery and metal manufactures representing the moro scientific group in the steel trade. EVen in bulk lines thero are to be found signs that Britain has lagged behind other countries to some extent, and it is to such matters particular attention is at present being paid. Slow to See a New Trade. "Wo aro importing just now a number cf broad flanged steel beams, to be nsed ns stanchions, from America," said a leading importer, when discussing the subject. " It would be an exaggeration to say that Britain is not competing in this very important field, but tho plain fact is that the British manufacturers have not yet grasped tho significance of the steel-framed building to the steel industry. America was first to adopt the lofty steel structure and naturally was the first to produce the material in wide range. Belgium, also, was ahead of Britain, and I can show you photographs of steelframed buildings being "erected in England out of foreign material. Because this irtodcrn type of building was slow to be adopted in Britain, and e\en yet is rather tho ,exception than the rule, the steel industry of Britain was loath to go to the heavy expense of installing the costly rollers required for the production of broad-flanged beams, particularly of the larger classes and thus, against the British.sentiment that is at the bottom of this firm, we aro filling an order from America. A Present Opportunity"lt is another instance of Low the conservative spirit of Britain loses trade. The British steel manufacturers, by comparison with the enterprise of foreign countries, failed to anticipate the effect of architectural developments in other countries. Tho foreign competitors, notably America, saw the new trade, and its future It is a trade which Britain should consider very seriously. Even if the trend of architecture in Britain does not suggest that there will be a huge home demand for the class of steel [ have mentioned, manufacturers should be alive to what is taking place elsewhere, and to recognise that a growing export business is offering to those countries where building regulations do not, limit the dimensions of the commercial building for uhich a steel frame is now necessary. Axes and Saws. *'lt is the old story of the axe." continued the importer. " Practically the ■whole of the New Zealand trade in axes is supplied by America, not, because Britain does not make an axe of good steel, but because the pattern docs not commend itself to bushineit, and because the handle is not precisely what is desired here. On one occasion, when tho supply was behind the demand, we sent an axe of the type most in demand to a British manufac turor and asked if be could make one like it. He said he could, but the sample was simply ludicrous by comparison—another instance of that spirit which makes tho British manufacturer imagine that his will a.nd not the will of the customer is the deciding factor." Half the trade in saws of all kinds, including those used in sawmills, is held by tho fjnitcd Slates, but according to the importer consulted, the British makers have commenced a determined effort to capture the trade. " One firm," be said, " has sent, a representative through New Zealand f" ascertain the exact requirements. Ho consulted everyone whose opinion was worth while, u"ing not only to buyers, but to saw-doctors in the mills. ' I have seen a sample of what the firm can produce and I can say without hesitation that it is the finest article of tho kind ever produced 'there is not tho slightest doubt that this saw will sell readily, and the coming success is due to what is lacking it. so many directions in England —a knowledge of requirements obtained on the spot by an expert. Patterns Thirty Years Old. The trade in artisans' tools is over £300,000 a year of which Britain and the United States each had £138,000 in 1924. Touching l on this branch of tiie industry the importer gave an almost pathetic inbtance of British slowness. "In 1899," he Kiid, "wo received from this firm an illustrated catalogue of its goods. At the trine catalogues of this character were rare, and the firm was to be commended for its enterprise and tlie excellence of its production. Ever since, new price lists have been forwarded, but never another catalogue. Last year we asked for a new one, and to our astonishment the new one except in prices, was an exact reproduction of the first one. Not a single pattern was changed. Many of them, of course, arc obsolete, and it would bo impossible to sell some of the stuff, no matter how good the quality of the steel. Probably there is still a good market for many of the articles in Britain, but in the export trade modern improvements tell the story. What is the use of this firm issuing a catalogue this is neatly 30' years out of date!" Then was related an instance of how the enterprising manufacturer of modern tools and appliances catches a trade. A large Auckland concern required a [ueehariical device that had to be light, but of high efficiency. A picture of one |iad been seen in an American journal and the importer was asked to cable for It, no matter what the price, and .to obtain a quotation for several dozen. The bid British firm 'makes a device of the kind--but of the cumbersome sort it turned out 30 years ago, and it cannot he considered for the special purpose the Auckland buyer has for it.