EMPIRE PRODUCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20290, 24 December 1927, Page 13

EMPIRE PRODUCE.

LATEST IMPORTANT DISPLAY. GOOD BUSINESS RESULTS. PRAISE OF NEW ZEALAND MEAT AND BUTTER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 5. Practically all the leading stores in London carry regular stocks of products from the dominions, and several of them always have them on view for the benefit of their patrons, who desire to have these goods. At intervals during the year, the various stores arrange to hold special dis plays of produce from all parts of the Empire—the Empire in this connection including commodities of British production as well. One such exhibition on an imposing scale has just been held by Messrs Harrods. So much interest did it create that the period of its duration was doubled, the week originally arranged for being extended to two weeks. The management report that such exhibitions are very beneficial to the trade in general, and the public is greatly interested. Apart from these more ambitious efforts, special displays of dominions’ produce are held three or four times a year, with the result that there is a continually growing demand for Empire goods. The space at Harrods’s stores is vast, each department having the dimensions of a great hall, affording opportunity for a generous show. The dominions supply decorative details, such as <*aga, colour transparencies, and paintings of orchard scenes (properties that were prepared originally for Wembley). With the products available from every part of the Empire a comprehensive exhibit is assured, arranged by masters of display amid artistic surroundings. An additional decorative feature sent by the High Commissioner for New Zealand was the lifesize Friesian model, which was used as a centre piece for the cheese section. DESSERT FRUITS. As was the case a year ago, quite tho most striking of the exhibits was the display of fresh fruits, where enormous ribbon-bedecked baskets were filled with magnificent specimens, most of it being home-grown —giant pears, splendid apples, great bunches of hothouse grapes; there were peaches and apples from various provinces of Canada, grape-fruit and red bananas from Jamaica; oranges from South Africa; coconuts from British Honduras, and the walnuts shown bore the label “ incw Zealand.” MEAT, BUTTER, EGGS.

There were carcasses of New Zealand lamb and mutton ranged alongside meat from Australia—the best quality meat that is alwaya available for customers who ask for it.

Messrs Harrods say that there is a growing demand for New Zealand lamb, and that if the present quality is maintained there is no reason why the demand should not continue to expand. Meat only of the first quality is stocked—every commodity dealt with here must be of the best. New Zealand and Australian butter in large supply of “ finest ” quality was priced at is lOd, and waa continuously selling. The manager of the department stated that best quality New Zealand butter and cheese were being sold all the year round. Nothing but the best is here dealt in. , The stores send New Zealand butter to countries all over the world.

New Zealand cheese made up the greater part of this section, with cheese of home production. South Africa was conspicuous - with its bacon, including tl - exhibit that had gained first prize at thp dairy show, and the same country had sent a special shipment of very choicelooking eggs, which were available at 2; 3d per dozen. There was Canadian salmon and bacon. India had its special section for chutney, curry powder, and tea in a very effective pavilion.

DRIED FRUIT AND HONE' Australia had pride of place in the section for dried and tinned fruits, and visitors were tempted to taste for themselves honey from the Commonwealth, which was spread on biscuits or scones so that its flavour might be known. Australian honey, now standardised under the title of “ Golden Wattle,” was well shown, and so was the New Zealand Imperial Bee, as well as the West Indian “ Be-Ze-Be.” Golden Wattle was priced at 9d and Is 3d against the 10id and Is 6d asked for Imperial Bee. The respective containers seemed to be of similar capacity, though differing in design. New Zealand honey is the most expensive of the imported honeys. ’For still larger jars the price is 3s. Small cakes and mincepies were made daily, Australian fruits being used. For cakes and mincemeat of Empire materials there is a continuous demand from America.

Jams from South Africa are always in demand, for some of tho varieties are little known here—such as cape gooseberry, pineapple, and green fig. Wines of, Empire origin wore also well shown.

A great attraction was the pavilion whefe butter and cream cheeses were being made by girls from a Reading creamery. SOME SUGGESTIONS. The stores manager of the Food Section says there is room for improvement in grading of fruits, but as this chiefly applies to tinned fruits from Australia, New Zealand is not directly interested. There is still too much uncertainty as to what will bo found inside the tin. American fruits never vary—a particular label ensures a particular class of fruit, and tho buyer knows what he is getting. It is essentia] that the dominions who preserve fruit should give more careful attention to grading.

WANTED, SOMETHING ATTRACTIVE. For New Zealand, too, however, there is criticism. It applies to toheroas in tins. Now, no customer, unless it is a New Zealander, knows what is a toheroa, or what it is like. Without a picture to show it, it might be a fruit or a bird or a brand of potted meat. If it is desired to create a demand for this fish, the labels should be more informative, and also more attractive., A label that strikes the eye sufficiently for a shopper to be interested enough to ask questions is going to induce sales, but the present label on the tins is considered to be neither attractive nor informative. Also the type of tin used is not beyond criticism, for it too closely resembles the container which is used for cheap salmon. There should be no difficulty in improving the pattern of tin, but even more important is the need for a label that is attractive and will give some immediate indication as to what is inside. The importance of the employment of the best art in such a connection has been emphasised more than once by the Empire Marketing Board. Suitable and effective labels cn masse are an enormous attraction, and afford practical evidence of the power of good advertisement. Again, regarding the toheroa, the directions given ns to the use of the fish are criticised by New Zealanders themselves, who know all about it. They say that the snap recipe is far too strong to be palatable, and that far more liquid must be added when making the soup. That being so. should not the directions be altered for the benefit of the novice? The toheroa is an acquired taste, in any case, and if the exact following of the instructions docs not give a palatable result, it is not likely that a second tin will be bought by anybody who has been disappointed and disillusioned by the first one.

If it is intended in New Zealand to create a demand for the fish these points are important; and if the demand is created one hopes that the supply will be adequate and continuous. Stores carrying the highest class of custom need assurance in this connection. Novelties introduced to customers must at all limes be obtainable.