ATTRACTIVE DISPLAYS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17154, 2 October 1926, Page 4

ATTRACTIVE DISPLAYS

EMPIRE SHOPPING WEEK FIRMS ENTHUSIASTIC From the novel and appropriate decorations of the shop windows and the lavish displays of British-made goods, it would appear that the Gisborne firms are enthusiastic in their preparations for Empire Shopping Week, which commences on Monday. Everywhere the shopkeepers are industriously employed in dressing their windows in a manner best fitting the occasion, and throughout the town the eye meets posters proclaiming that the windows contain nothing but British goods, and urging the public to buy nothing that has not been made in Britain or her -dominions. The shop window exhibitions are of a diversified nature, no two exactly alike, and some display remarkable talent on the part of their organisers. Examples of British-made goods in their various courses of manufacture vie with patriotic displays, but all have the one object in view—to persuade the people to buy. within the Empire. The Union Jack and its component colors are everywhere in evidence, many of the shops being gayly decorated with flags and red, white, and blue streamers, and it only remains for the public to do their share in supporting the Empire by buying its goods. A few of the firms have completed their decorations and displays, and several others are still making preparations for the opening of the week on Monday. Many of the shops lend themselves to patriotic exhibitions more than others, and some find themselves unable to make any particular display. It is l regrettable, however, that some of the firms have not troubled to interest themselves in the matter. NEW ZEALAND PRODUCTS. There is one display which has a special appeal to New Zealanders and tiic people of Poverty Bay. It is a splendid exhibition of New Zealandmade rugs, and passer S-by cannot fail to bo impressed by the excellent display. The wool as it comes from the backs of the sheep is shown in the centre of the window, and around it are suspended skeins of the yarp spun from the wool. The next step in the manufacture of the rugs is the making of the chenille from which the finished article is woven. Bundles of the chenille in variegated colors are displayed in the window, and it is interesting to note how the pat : tern forms itself when the threads of chenille are laid side bv side. Printed cards describe the various exhibits, and others urge the purchaser to support New Zealand industry; here are three examples: “New Zealand Goods for New Zealanders,” “Made in New Zealand from Povertv Bay Wool,” "Buy Your Own Product and keep the Money in New Zealand.” A large percentage of the wool used in the manufacture of these rugs is grown in the Poverty Bay district. THE BRITISH LION. “British Goods Reign Supreme throughout thp World,” is the thetne taken by another firm, which has built up around it a patriotio display of exceptional merit, the cynosure of all eyes to-day. The middle window of the shop is occupied by a clever and novel display, which indicates forcibly the vast extent of the Empire’s Dominions, and the attention of the passer-by is immediately arrested. In the centre of the window is a revolving globe of the world, with Britain’s dominions colored in red, surmounted by the Union Jack, which waves in the breeze of a concealed fan. To. the left is seated a figure representing Brittania, with her trident and shield. A lion, symbolic of the Empire, occupies tho right-hand side of the window. It is an exceptionally clever model, the lion moving his tawny head as he stands on the pedestal, and opening and closing his mouth. The ceiling and floor of the window are draped with the Empire’s flag, and the sides are decorated with wide bands of the three colors. Tho originator ot the scheme is to be congratulated on the success of his work. During the coming week the public are urged to demonstrate their patriotism by buying no goods which have not been made within the Empire. When an article is to be bought the purchaser is asked to enquire if it is an Empire product, and if it is not he should go elsewhere until he finds the Britishmade article.