BRITISH IMPORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21596, 14 September 1933, Page 12

BRITISH IMPORTS

Sir, —I notice.with considerable sur-j ?riso a statement credited to Mr. loland Ellis, of Dunedin, that English manufacturers are using our long distanco from their market to take liberties that would not be tolerated if taken by local manufacturers. Assuming that Mr. Ellis is correctly reported in instancing the substitution or poor designs and colours for better ones selected, the quantity and quality not up to sample and poor finish of articles, I feel that such an assertion should not pass unchallenged. During 20 years' experience of importing from quite a number of manufacturers in different parts of Great Britain, I have never had the misfortune to encounter circumstances as described by Mr. Ellis. In fact, my experience has been quite to the contrary, and I have found that, quite apart from the consideration,of retaiuing a customer's business and' goodwill, British manufacturers regard as a point of honour the fulfilment of orders up to sample, and/or according to stipulations of design, quality and finish. I wish also to point out the fact which most importers from England and Scotland will recognise, that wherever any doubt as to quality, eto., ordered has arisen, the local customer has nearly always benefited, not lost, in the transaction. It may be that in the instance mentioned by Mr. Ellis some misunderstanding has : occurred through the manner in which theorders were given; at all events, a wide indictment of British manufacturers, because of an apparently unsatisfactory incident, is most unjust, and not consistent with the general opinion of New Zealand business men. Perhaps it would not be uncharitable to suggest that Mr. Ellis has allowed his anxiety to retain the high tariff protecting the industry with which he is connected to cloud .slightly his good; judgment. R. Jaffb.