NEW ZEALAND GOODS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23678, 9 December 1938, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND GOODS

SUPPORT FOR CAMPAIGN OPPORTUNITY FOR PRACTICAL LOYALTY MINISTER'S APPEAL TO SHOPPERS (Per Unmted Press Association) GREYMOUTH, Dec. 8. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr L». G. Sullivan) made observations in an interview to-day on the duty of everyone in New Zealand to give greater preference to New Zealand-made goods After mentioning the campaign which was recently set going by the Government to stimulate increased buying of New Zealandmade goods, the Minister remarked that the success of the campaign could be measured only by the readiness of the response by the general public to the appeal. The Minister said: "The average man when he goes shopping is inclined to take the first thing offered that seems to be what he wants; he is not like his wife whu casts a very critical eye on the goods and makes shrewd comparisons with values obtainable in other shops. I am ..ot suggesting that our menfolk should try to develop all the arts of shopping to the same degree as the womenfolk, but one thing they could all do quite easily and ought to do—they should always ask if New Zea-land-made goods are available. Consider the woollen industry. New Zealand is one of the greatest woolproducing countries in the world, and, of necessity, the greater part of the wool is exported to be manufactured into clothing. In New Zealand, however, we have many factories making suitings, underwear, blankets, etc., and a large number of workers get their livelihood from these factories, and this livelihood depends to a great extent upon the support given by the people of New Zealand to the products of these workers. We all are aware that the average man purchases his woollen articles without giving any consideration whatsoever to the country where they were made and, as a result, vast sums of money are sent overseas in payment for manufactured woollen goods, whereas this money could be kept in New Zealand to pay wages for the workers in this country. If our menfolk would give more thought to this matter and insisted that the woollen goods they bought had been made in New Zealand, not only would those workers already engaged in the woollen industry benefit but the whole community would gain also. Furthermore, there would be greater opportunities for other workers to find good employment in the industry. The Government wants to see production increased to the fullest extent possible and every man in the country can lend his weight in this particular direction by demanding New Zealand woollens the very next time and at all times when he is buying these goods." The Minister pointed out that there was in New Zealand a competent and highly organised boot and shoe trade and on the other hand there was a tendency for people to consider that they could not get the best fitting or best looking shoes without going to overseas products. He did not hold that opinion and was convinced that the New Zealand made shoe was equal in appearance and better in wearing quality than the averge shoe imported. The industry had gone through some bad periods of depression with consequent loss of wages to workers because of the reluctance or rather refusal of the workers of New Zealand to purchase boots and shoes made by their own . people. The Minister said that if everyone, when purchasing a pair of boots or shoes, were to say to the shopkeeper, " I want New Zealand-made shoes," they would be doing an inestimable service, not merely to the manufacturers and the hide and skin merchants, but all the workers engaged directly or indirectly in the manufacture of boots and shoes.

The Minister pointed out that the shop assistants of the Dominion were in an excellent position to render a very great service to New Zealand. It was they who actually sold the great army of purchasers the goods bought in such great quantities every year. They often were very helpful to shoppers who were not quite sure in their own minds just what they wanted, and the advice given to buyers was usually appreciatively received. The Minister suggested to the shop assistants that, at all times, they should show customers goods made in New Zealand factories. A word in season from the shop assistant very often meant the sale of a New Zealand article instead of an imported product. He frequently found that just by mentioning a particular commodity was made in New Zealand a purchaser could be reminded of his duty to his fellow workers and would need no persuasion to exercise the right of choice for Dominion-made goods. So, to the shop assistants, the Minister appealed to buy New Zealandmade goods themselves and to push the sale of the products of their fellow workers in preference to those of overseas countries. They would have the approval of the employers, the Government and the consuming public. It would be a great thing if every member of the New Zealand Workers' Union carried out to the full the advice-printed on the back of his membership ticket. "Buy New Zealand-made Goods." The responsible officers of the union were fully convinced that every worker should wholeheartedly support the campaign inaugurated by the Government to encourage the greater use of Dominion-made products. The approach of Christmas was an excellent opportunity for everyone to show practical loyalty to the country. Loyalty -.hould not merely be a lip service, but should find expression in practical efforts such as when buying presents for friends. " Let all resolve that all presents we buy shall be products of our own factories," he said. "Thus will the gifts bring happiness to a wider circle than those who receive them and extend back to the many people concerned with their manufacture"