TURNING THE TABLES

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 8

TURNING THE TABLES

NEW ZEALAND RUGS IN GREAT BRITAIN. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, December 14. Some few months ago a trial consignment of .New Zealand rugs was sept to London, and those who attempted to experiment have reason to be pleased with the result The idea of selling woollens trom the dominion to England is rather a new one, but there are London merchants who foresee in ic a new commercial' development which should in time be of great benefit to the people overseas. One of them who is interested in the subject, and who is not without knowledge of the New Zealand trade was good enough this week to express his opinions freely on the subject for my benefit. The question, he said, had often been discussed, but apart from an individual visiting England wishing to make his expenses the exploitation of New Zealand woollen products in this country had not been tried. The individual in question had on moro than one occasion found a ready market for mgs. “There is undoubtedly a ready market in England for New Zealand woollen goods, and it has surprised me,” my informant remarked “that the manufacturers there have not seen fit to exploit the markets m a systematic manner. One often hears that manufacturers in the dominion cannot make sufficient for their local needs. That is a very enviable position for them to be in, and perhaps makes them feel auite satisfied. On the other hand it may be because there is not enough skilled labour available in the dominion. Their rugs are certainly a wonderful production—second to none in the world—and they can tie justly proud of them. But are they alive to the "fereat market awaiting them here on this side* They can he made a permanent necessity here by keeping ready slocks. I venture to assert that with a comprehensive range and by visiting all the principal centres of the United Kingdom there would he no difli culty in placing initial orders for at least ten thousand rugs, and that is under the mark rather than over it “It would be necessary to have a large* percentage of Scotch nlaid designs, plain on one side and a plaid on the other. 4ylb to 6ilb weight being, the most suitable. The average motorist will always want weight combined with the best article that can be made. COST OF PRODUCTION “The cost of production in New Zealand to-day is very similar to that in the United Kingdom. In pre-war days there was certainly a marked difference. Now, however. wages and overhead charges ape much higher in England, anti taxation too is high. Moreover, there is no duty on New Zealand goods coming into this country. The freight is really the only item to take into consideration. “There is a market here, too, for good New Zealand worsteds. These compare favourably with the English article, and as there is generally a shortage of the finer cloths I am confident they would find a ready demand. Then the New Zealand flannels with steady effort could be placed on this market. There is a New Zealand colony in England of from four to five thousand, and in the summer months there are always large numbers of visitors. Their presence means a demand for New Zealand products, if such are available. AGREEMENT BETWEEN MANUFACTURES ERS. it would be necessary for all the New Zealand manufacturers to form themselves into one company for the particular purpose of fostering trade in the United Kingdom. Combined effort is essential on their part. If only one of them decided to give it a trial good work would be done. But as this is such a large market to cater for, besides having the American and Canadian and Continental buyers resident here to look after as well, the best solution would be for all the New Zealand manufacturers to come to a working agreemrtit. By so doing it would prevent overlapping and also ensure ready supplies. “Orders, too, could be booked eight (o 12 months in advance, which would Ire advantageous. Such an arrangement might help them financially, apart from the increased turnover; because the moneys received here for goods could be used by their own London houses and so save exchange, which must be a fairly large item in a year’s trading. “The British Empire Exhibition in 1924 would be an ideal stepping-off point for such a project, and in the meantime the manufacturers could make their arrangements accordingly. The market is here, and, with the improvement in trade which is already manifest, a splendid opportunity awaits them which should not be allowed to pass. Locking at it from the standpoint of a cold business proposition, it must succeed, and become a boon lo New Zealand as a whole.”