TRADE IN BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20236, 22 April 1929, Page 13

TRADE IN BRITAIN.

CONDITIONS IMPROVING.

NEW ZEALAND'S GOODS

BETTER PUBLICITY SUGGESTED

Returning to New Zealand after an absence of 28 years in England, Mr. W. A. Donald, a director in the firm of A. B. Donald, Limited, is to take an active part in the management of the business in Auckland. Mr. Donald arrived by the Rotorua yesterday, being met by his brothers, A. W. Donald, managing director, and the Hon. J. B. Donald, Post-master-General, who is also a director. In England, Mr. Donald was educated at Dulwich College and Oxford and later practised law in London. P.eferring to existing conditions in England, Mr. Donald said the coal trade waa showing great promise of consideraDle recovery. The South Wales combines were recovering a great number of contracts while an improvement was also being shown in Northumberland. The iron and steel trades were showing some movement but had not expeYienced the fillip of the coal trade. It was hoped that improvement in the former would follow the coal revival. During 1926, foreign companies had stepped in and taken threevear contracts which would shortly expire and it was expected Britain would thus regain some of her lost trade.

Speaking of the political situation in England, Mr. Donald said there seemed to be some doubt whether the Baldwin Government would bo returned to power. The Liberal Party was making a great efiiort and was contesting 500 of the 650 constituencies. It had little prospect of obtaining an independent majority but it might hold the balance of power. It was a puzzling question which way the " flapper " vote would go. The general impression was that the Conservative Party would be returned to power but that it would not have a working majority.

Mr. Donald praised the activities of Sir James Parr, the High Commissioner, in advertising New Zealand goods. The Dominion produce was always brought prominently before the people. Ibe excellent displays in the windows of the High Commissioner's office in the Strand had been very favourably commented upon. These were changed frequently and served as largely as any other means to keep the Dominion produce well advertised in London. However, in other directions New Zealand's publicity work might be considerably improved. The advertising of Australia's raisins, wines and other commodities was very well carried out and might well serve as an object lesson to the Dominion. The Australian advertisements had a greater "pulling power " than the New Zealand and funds appeared to be spent more wisely by the Commonwealth.