BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21932, 19 April 1933, Page 9

BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR

SUMMARY OF RESULTS ORDERS FROM ABROAD INFLUENCE OF ROYAL FAMILY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, March 9. On Friday night the British Industries Fair, which has filled Olympia, the White City, and the Exhibition Hall at Castle Bromwich, closed its doors. Exhibitors in all three sections are well satisfied that a very large amount of business has been done. According to inquiries made by the Federation of British Industries, “taking the Fair as a whole, it would be safe to say that the geheral result, though not up to the 1932 standard, has probably been less short of it than might have been expected in view of present world conditions, as well as of the difficult times through which this country lias passed.” Indicative of Royal influence on the Fair, it may be mentioned that, as a result of the purchase of a raincoat by the Duchess of York, the firm which supplied it has received orders to make 15,000 coats a week for the next six months. In some instances exhibitors have done better in actual orders than last year. Though foreign buyers were fewer than in 1932, they were “ more serious ” and ordered more readily—a most encouraging sign, bearing in mind the manifold export trade difficulties. A questionnaire conducted by the National Union of Manufacturers obtained 16 favourable replies out of 25 firms. The favourable answers ranged from “ satisfactory ” to “ extremely satisfactory.” One firm reported that inquiries were up by between CO and 70 per cent. Lieut.-colonel D. J. Colville, M.P. (secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade) has been in very close touch with the work which has been done. He remarked:

There has been a distinctly happy atmosphere in all sections of the Fair. Overseas inquiries have been numerous and many useful orders have been placed, although world conditions have tended to make these not so widespread as at the 1932 Fair. In a great measure these good results are due to the gracious interest of the Royal Family and the whole-hearted support of the press. There is no doubt that once again the Fair has achieved its object as a great marketing centre for British goods. TEXTILE SECTION. In London the Fair has been visited by buyers from 78 countries, those showing increased numbers on last year being Belgium, France, Canada, Australia, Italy, Poland, Austria, the Straits Settlements, China, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Iceland. The attendance of buyers from Denmark, Sweden and Norway has fallen considerably, probably because fewer buying parties have been organised. Inquiries at the stands of a largo number of representative firms in the textile section revealed that about 95 per cent, were thoroughly satisfied. A small section of exhibitors expressed the view that for certain classes of cotton goods this is not the best time of the year to secure orders. ' Apart from them there were few stallholders who have not already made up their minds to exhibit at the Fair next year. On behalf of an Irish linen firm it was stated that the results were very encouraging and were definitely better than last year. The number of inquiry cards from oversea was equal to that of the last three years. Holland is becoming a new market for British textiles. NEW OVERSEAS CONTRACTS.

A hosiery firm stated that last year was good but this year has been better, both in figures and in new accounts. They had made many valuable new contracts. Manufacturers of cotton fabrics who, as the result of orders at the last Fair, opened a new factory, stated that they will have to extend it, thus providing further employment. A firm of Yorkshire woollen manufacturers said they had opened up fresh fields and got in touch with people they would never have met in any other way. A firm making uncreasable fabrics, with resident agents all over the world, declared that they had made new overseas contracts. Scottish woollen manufacturers are already considering taking additional space next year, if they can get it, and individual firms are very satisfied with the business done. One cotton firm have done so well with overseas business that they have decided to open a Continental campaign. New customers at home include some who have been approached unsuccessfully for years. Attendances for the whole of the London section of the fair, with a comparison with those of 1932, are:— 1932 1933 Overseas buyers .. 9,784 9,C26 Home buyers .. .. 270,000 128,000 Last year’s entry was free, while this year a charge of 2s was made.