FRIENDLY VISITOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26842, 5 August 1948, Page 6

FRIENDLY VISITOR

BRITISH MANUFACTURER DICKENS’ “CHARACTER” Mr Sam Weller, a British woollen maufacturer who is at present staying in Dunedin, prides himself on nis more than superficial resemblance to Charles Dickens’s famous character. “I call my business premises in Bradford the ‘Pickwick Works,’ and after two weeks on your very excellent rations I think I am getting more and more like my famous namesake,” Mr Weller smilingly said. Speaking with a strong Yorkshire accent, Mr Weller briefly fold how his business had expanded from a oneman concern in 1911 into the present flourishing business, which had connections in all the dominions, as well as America and Europe. Because of the essential nature of the goods he manufactured, material was readily made available, but Mr Weller considered the high taxation a menace to production, more especially in the larger firms. “Even the heads of firms become indifferent,” he said, “ and with the meagre rations, the output of the workers is understandably slackening.” Mr Weller was optimistic about the future however, basing his opinion on the high reputation which British goods enjoy on overseas markets. He consdered that New Zealand manufactures were of a surprisingly good standard for so. small a country “ 1 would go so far as to say that if New Zealand and Australia could work in harmony the whole Pacific area could be supplied, including South America.” he concluded. Mr Weller, who is accompanied by his wife, is being conducted on a tour of New Zealand woollen mills by a member of the Imperial Chemical Industries staff.