DOMINION FIRST

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12196, 22 July 1925, Page 6

DOMINION FIRST

QUESTION OF PREFERENCE THOSE PURCHASED GRAMOPHONES MANUFACTURERS PROTEST The Education Department’s recent purchase of British gramophones for use in schools came under the fire of the New Zealand Industrial Corporation yesterday, when .a deputation waited; upon Sir James Parr (Minister for Education) and the Hon. G. J. Anderson. (Minister for Industries and Commerce). The president of the corporation, Mr L. T. Watkins, urged the Government to carry out its policy of preference to New Zealand industry in regard to gramophones. He said that the manufacturers present were able to turn out a wholly New Zealand-made article with the exception of the motors, which were imported from Britain. Sir Jambs Parr "asked whether it was nob a fact that the motor was generally imported fronj, Sweden and other foreign countries, and made up here ? “We make everything except tlje motor,” was the reply. Sir James Parr, in his reply, expressed regret that the British manufacturers were not represented. As a. matter of policy he had laid it down that onfr the best article at the cheapest prieje should be chosen. He advocated none but the best for the children, whether the article was made in New Zealand or in Great Britain. The tenders were called publicly and quite openly, and the selection was made by a committee of experts who advised which were the best machines for the price. They were unanimous in their opinion. The contract was for one year, and the local manufacturers would have another opportunity of tendering again next year. He was advised by his experts that the British-made machine was the best for school purposes, and cheaper than the instrument made in New Zealand. OF, TWO MINDS As a New Zealander he favoured New Zealand manufactures, hut as Minister for Education he was not prepared to pay a higher prioe for an article which he was* informed waß not as good as another. He had been assured by the British manufacturers that their claim to produce a New ZeaJland article could not he justified. Practically ' all the so-called; New Zealandmade instruments, said British advice, were composed of motors and fittings imported not. from Britain but from Switzerland, Germany, and Japan, and that to some extent the wood was imported from some of those countries. On the other hand, the British manufacturers stated that the whole makeup of the article which they werq getting was British. Mr Anderson stated that if -we were to manufacture in New Zealand wo must make an article equal to the very best. He pointed out the advantages whioh the local manufacturer enjoyed as a result of the tariff, and said he was sure that local manufacturers would produce a N machine equal to - the best. . He would even go so far as to say they could excel the world’s best, stated Mr Watkins finally. ' ' ' •