BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 9

BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR.

TWO SECTIONS OPENED. BID FOR FOREIGN TRADE. SPEECH BY DUKE OF YORK. By Teleqrnph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received February '23. (i.fi p.m.) British Wireless. RUGBY, Feb. 22. The British Industries Fair, which was opened in London and at Birmingham today, covers an urea well over six limes that, occupied by the first fair iri 39J5, the frontage of the stands of the 2300 exhibitors totals about 16 miles. r J ho textile section at White City (London) represents n comprehensive display of all branches of industry and is the largest exhibition of textiles ever held. At (ho banquet in the Mansion House litis evening in connection with the fair the I'rcsidcnt. of the Board of Trade, Mr. Walter Runciman, addressing the exhibitors. said that at the Empire Economic Conference at Ottawa in July the Government would endeavour to extend Empire trade. Also, it was anxious, however, not to lose any opportunity of strengthening trade relations with foreign countries. The most recent developments of the policy of tho British Government had awakened lively interest abroad. The Minister assured the visitors to the fair that the Government wished to cultivate greater freedom of intercourse between the nations, which he firmly believed to be the only permanent solution of the world's commercial ills. Signs of hope and encouragement were not absent. One such hopeful sign was this great and growing fair. The Duke of York pleaded for a place in industry for deserving youth, whose zeal, freshness and courage, he said, were indispensable in the friendly battle for increasing trade. In spite of the fact that Britain was struggling with every kind of problem, the fair was on a scale beyond the wildest dreams of 1915. This proved the soundness of the country and the determination of manufacturers to go steadily ahead in preparing for the clay—not far distant —when the world's trade and prosperity would revive. Britain's reputation for quality in production, said His Royal Highness, was accompanied by ability to compete with world prices.