Empire and New Zealand Goods.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 66, 15 October 1930, Page 5

Empire and New Zealand Goods.

WEEK TO BE HELD IN ST BATED BD. BUSINESS MEN’S DECISION. MEETING LAST NIGHT. Last night a meeting of business people was held in the Municipal Chambers for the purpose of discussing the holding of an Empire and New Zealand Industries Week in connection with the next show of the A. and P. Association. His Worship the Mayor, Mr Percy Thomson, was in the chair, and those present were addressed by Messers S. J. Goodey and H. Hes. sell, of Wanganui. These two gentlemen! were on the executive of the Association, which conducted successfully a similar week in Wanganui some little time ago, Mr Hessell being chairman. After discussion it was decided to run an Empire and New* Zealand Industries Week in Stratford at show time, and an executive was set up to deal, with the organisation and arrangements, Mr W. Hoskin being appointed covenor. In his opening remarks Mr Thomson said that this being the 21st birthday' of the Association it was thought desirable that such a week should be held in' Stratford. He pointed put that Messrs Goodey and Messell, of Wanganui, members of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Association, had come through and would address those present. He spoke of their work in connection with the recent Wanganui week. DEMAND FOB X.Z. GOODS. The necessity for developing the demand for New Zealand goods with a view to engendering prosperity and relieving unemployment, was stress ed by Mr J. C. Robins, who spoke in support of the proposal. A GOOD THING. Mr Goodey said that unquestionably the suggested scheme would be a good thing from all points of view. Speaking on the course followed in Wanganui the speaker dealt with a competition for window displays of New Zealand and em-

pire goods, each shopkeeper paying 5/- a window to the fund. The

person dressing the winning window gets a gold medal, but the prizes in the competition go to the public for judging. Mr Hessell said the business people in Wanganui had got behind the movement there and made a great success of it. He thought if the business men in Stratford were to assist the A. and P. Association to launch a New Zealand and Empire Industries Week, it could be made an outstanding success. He was sure there would be a wonderful return during the period of the week and it would also further stimulate trade.

Xu Wanganui itliey had always, foubd it a. great lever ior lilting up the tone ot business lor a long period alter warns. The advent oi tlie Hist birthday ol the A. and FAssociation was another lever lor me success ol me proposed “week.” ne suggesteu tne immediaie selling up or u committee and gave ueiuus 01 me orgaiulsauon ;vmjcjn snouia be loliowed. In reply to Mr D. J. Malone, Mr Pressed sam lie hail not neard or any otlier Taranaki town wnicn conteuiplateu doming sued a weed about me tune oi me btrattord bnow. Mr J. (J. Hooins said me question was whetner in me event ot sued a week being held, prominence should be given to New Zealand or lo ddupire goods. Mr vloodey; The best slogan to adopt on all occasions (is; “lour own town lirst, New Zealand second, the itmpure third, and fourth.’’ Air Hessell: This must be looked at from the retailers’ point ol view and there are some businesses which are prevented by the nature ol the merchandise handled Irom displaying only New Zealand goods. Some deal in goods wlijich are not made in’ New Zealand, therefore it is necessary to hold an Empire goods display as well as one d New Zealand goods. On the motion ol Mr .). Walker, seconded hy Mr E, Carryer, it was decided to hold an Empire and New Zealand Manufacturers’ Week in connection' with the Show. Mr White moved and Mr Walker seconded that a committee of eight be formed to organise to deal with the matter. This was carried. The following committee was elected:—Messrs E. Carryer, W.

Hoskin, J. Walker, H. T. Cooper, J. Orr, G. Lamplougli, E. D. Evans, J. Petrie, Junr. Mr Hoskin was appointed convenor. The Mayor assured the meeting that the Borough Council would do ail possible to assist the movement. A hearty vote of thanks was extended to Messrs Goodey and Hessell.