MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20500, 30 August 1928, Page 10

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT

CLAIMS OF LOCAL GOODS URGED.

BRIGHTER OUTLOOK NOTICEABLE

(Special to Laiuv Times.)

WELLINGTON, August 29. Tin? report of tho Department of In-, ilustrics and Commerce contains summarised statistics of all tho Dominion factories, indicting the general growth during the past year. It shows that the manufacturing industries of the Dominion continue to expand. Tables arc appended grouping according to the general character the various classes of industries contributing to the factory production of tho Dominion. The information discloses one very special feature, namely, a big increase in the 1926-27 figures of group 2, which includes gasmaking and supply, electricity generation and supply, and electric tramways. This increase is accounted for by the development of hydro-electricity. Additional factories and extensions to the present works are contemplated for the manufacture of confectionery', fertilisers, cement, tobacco, electric and gas cooking and heating apnliances, porcelain and enamel ware, and other goods?. In regard to the branding of goods, tlie report makes reference to the var-qus brands, such as “ British made,” “ Empire made,” and “ New Zealand made,” and incidentally mentions that for some years an Auckland firm, which has important branches in Great Britain and Australia, has manufactured a well-known household line of undoubted quality and at prices which arc competitive with imported goods of the same kind and branded British made.” During the last year, however, two or three of these productions have been branded. “ New Zealand made,” the remaining third at the wish of the distributors still bearing the brand “ British made.” The department feels confident that within a few years manufacturers in the Dominion will be able to rely upon their goods receiving front the public such strong support that there need be no further concealment of tho country of manufacture. The concluding passages of the report state: “The manufacturing industries of the Dominion continue to show a steady and healthy development. It will, probably' be generally agreed that manufacture cannot for many years reach a state of economic importance equal to that ol the production from our agricultural and pastoral industries The department has noted in recent years a satisfactory development! of the sentiment in favour of granting a buying preference for New Zealand-made goods. Such preferences could do much to render tariff protection less necessary. There is still., however, marked evidence of an insuflicent and incomplete contact between manufacturers and the retail trade. Retailers, as well as the public, must be brought into sympathy with the object of supporting local industry', and while manufacturers, individually and collectively, are working to secure the goodwill of the buying public, the retailer, as the intervening link in the chain of distribution, has not as yet been adequately encouraged to recognise, the fundamental advantages of dealing wherever possible in the goods of his neighbour—the New Zealand manufacturer. , “ Botli industry and commerce have during the past year or two been experiencing difficult conditions. Money has been dear. Trade has been restricted, and competition has been particularly keen. Commercial combinations and agreements, and endeavours in the direction of price maintenance, have been more noticeably in evidence than in the past. With tho marked improvement in the overseas trade of the Dominion, and in the banking and financial position, however, much more favourable trading and manufacturing conditions arc Confident to be expected in the ensuing yea r.