RECIPROCAL TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22545, 12 April 1935, Page 11

RECIPROCAL TRADE

THE SELF-HELP SHOP “IT HAS BEEN A WINNER” LORD GALWAY’S VISIT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, March 9. “ The New Zealand Reciprocal Trade Shop at Nottingham was a try-out,” said Mr H. E. Davis (London manager of the Dairy Board“and there is no doubt it has been a ‘ winner.’ It is appreciated by the public, and the manufacturers are apparently very willing to co-operate. We shall certainly extend the use of the idea in the future, especially in the big centres, where it may be necessary to take one of the biggest halls for the purpose.” In this “self-help” exhibition British manufacturers, for the first time, have joined hands with Empire producers to demonstrate the reciprocal aspects of trade within the Empire. Visitors to the display see butter, cheese, and meat from New Zealand, reproductions of every-day scenes in the Dominion, and, side by side with these, examples of Nottingham products—lace, hosiery, bicycles, and typewriters—which arc bought in quantity by the Dominion. The exhibition is an effective illustration of what Nottingham and New Zealand can and do send to each other. Newspapers in Nottingham and neighbouring towns have given the display generous treatment in news articles and pictures, and this is reflected in the enthusiastic interest still being shown by the public. In 10 days there was a record attendance of 12,000.

The Meat Board and the Dairy Board were especially fortunate in getting a very large shop in a central position in Nottingham. Over the windows outside in letters six feet deep were the words “ New Zealand Buys British.” This is the slogan all through the campaign. With plenty of show window space not only were the manufacturers able to exhibit their wares inside the shop, but in the windows to be seen by passersby. Local manufacturers occupied one side and New Zealand • produce was shown on the other side. All the Nottingham firms taking part supplied attendants, who were most enthusiastic in their work. Factory workers were given information about their exports to New Zealand and were asked to go to the exhibition. LORD GALWAY’S VISIT.

Lord Galway paid a visit to the shop and inspected the exhibits. He was accompanied by the Sheriff of Nottingham (Councillor Wallis Binch), the Lady Mayoress (Mrs R. E. Ashworth), members of the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce, and representatives of the various local industries concerned in the display.

the new Governor-General was greatly impressed by the exhibition as a means of emphasising the value of trade reciprocity.

I think it is an extraordinarily fine display,” he said. “ The quality of the goods is marvellous, and I hope that by such means the flow of trade will be increased in either direction. A visual example of the idea, definitely localised as in this case, should make a most effective appeal to the British public.” Lord Galway listened to several messages of congratulation to the organisers of the exhibition, read by Alderman Sir Albert Atkey, deputy president of the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce. ■ “ This exhibition of New Zealand primary produce and of secondary products exported to the Dominion cannot fail to impress upon die public the intimate commercial ties which unite us,” wrote Lord Herbert Scott, president of the Federation of British Industries. “ I wish the venture every success, and trust it may be the means of increasing the mutual exchange of goods to our common interest.”

Lord Trout, president of the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce, said: “ Best wishes for the success of your campaign for two-way traffic between this country and New Zealand. The voluntary development of trade within the Empire is of especial value to-day when business with foreign countries is so much hampered by restrictions and reduced purchasing power.” Other messages were fn ,u Mr L. S. Amery, M.P., Sir William Larke (director of the British Iron and Steel Federation) and Mr A. G. Palfreyman (chairman of the National Federation of Hosiery Manufacturers’ Associations). KINEMA PICTURES. In any future exhibition of this kind it would be a groat advantage to show New Zealand kinematograph films. ~lr Davis considers that those available at present do not fulfil requirements. The ones illustrating industries arc too conscientiously concerned with those industries. The people who go to pictures want to be amused, and Mr Davis suggests that the main proportion of the film should deal with bright scenes and

incidents, and the message regarding the dairy industry or the lamb industry should merely come in at the end, with one or two impressive scenes and some wording easily remembered.