“BRITISH-MADE” BRAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 8

“BRITISH-MADE” BRAND.

MANUFACTURERS’ DISCUSSION. AUCKLAND, March 5. The question of use by New Zealand manufacturers of the brand “ British made ” was brought forward at a meeting of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association when a letter was received from Mr J. Sutherland Ross (president of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Association) expressing his opinion as to the morality of the pioceedings. Mr Ross’s view was that any part of the British Empire should be entitled to use the expression. The following letter in reply has been forwarded by the president of the Auckland Association (Mr J. A. C. AUum): —“While quite in agreement with you that any manufacturer in any part of the Empire should be entitled to brand his goods ‘ British made ’ the fact still remains that the term is generally regarded as applying to articles made in Great Britain, and it is questionable whether the association .should take any action that might tend to foster a false impression. It would take a great amount of publicity to make the general public familiar with the suggested action.” Mr Allum added that the objections of the retailers had to a certain extent made some manufacturers feel that the time was not yet rjpe for insisting on goods being branded “ Made in New Zealand ”; consequently no definite action had been taken. It was advisable to leave the matter to the individual manufacturers. This view was endorsed by members who approved of the forwarding of Mr Allum's letter.