NEW ZEALAND MADE GOODS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXV, Issue 19008, 16 October 1931, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND MADE GOODS

FOURTH DAY OF DISPLAY. INTEREST WELL MAINTAINED. Yesterday was the fourth day of the “Buy New Zealand Made Goods Week” in Timaru, and the interest in the campaign in favour of the goods manufactured in thjs country was well maintained. In certain directions the addresses which were delivered in various parts of the town early in the campaign have borne immediate fruit. The juvenile portion of the community has taken a most intelligent interest in the movement, particularly those attending the High Schools and the Timaru Technical College. Yesterday saw companies of boys from the last mentioned institution visit John Jackson’s premises for the purpose of seeing what was done in the direction of woodwork. They had the various processes of wood preparation explained to them, the lesson taking them from the virgin material to the finished article. The instruction imparted gave the lads a wonderful insight into the methods adopted in connection with different kinds of timber, all of which will be of the utmost value to the boys in the course of their technical education. The greatest benefit, v>f course, will come from the knowledge gained of the importance of this country having its own timber supply. The advocates of an extensive afforestation scheme in New Zealand have for a number of years been emphasising the need for replanting much of our land long since denuded of timber. In the days now over, too little store was set on our timber supplies. Vast territories carrying excellent timber were laid waste by means of the axe, saw, and fire, and turned into grazing land, thsre being no thought of the timber supplies of the future. New Zealand imports large quantities of foreign timber to the detriment of our saw-mill-ing industry which has been languishing for a number of years in consequence. Another factor bearing on our industrial life is the effect on our rainfall, so necessary for our primal y pursuits, of the ruthless war that has been waged against our forests- in the past. In the timber industry, the depressed state has resulted in placing many men among the ranks of the unemployed, while good New Zealand money is being sent abroad to keep foreign workers in employment and taxation is being levied to provide bushmen and sawmill hands in this country with relief work. The instruction given to the Technical College boys yesterday should be of the greatest value to them when they assume their responsibilities as adult citizens of the Dominion.

The girls attending the Technical College visited the C.F.C.A. premises, and were shown over the portion of the building devoted to a display of food-stuffs, all of which have been manufactured in New Zealand. The comprehensiveness of the collection of articles of diet came as something of a surprise to them, and the information imparted will serve the dual purpose of instruction in our industrial pursuits and a lesson in New Zealand geography. It will be noted therefore that the promoters of Timaru’s “Buy New Zealand Goods Week,” apart from attempting to induce the people here to give preference to our own manufactures, have been responsible for providing the children of to-day with an education the value of which cannot be overestimated at the present time. The young people in the community have learned much about Industrial New Zealand during the week —much that hitherto they had but the merest superficial knowledge of. This sowing of the seed of loyalty to their native land first and foremost, and loyalty to the British Commonwealth of Nations of which New Zealand forms a rart, cannot but have a far reaching e.., ; in the years ahead of this country. In the economic reconstruction which is now taking place the industrial activities of the Dominion will play an important part. The absurdity of importing goods made from the raw materials exported from New Zealand, when such goods can be made here, and in the process of such making employ thousands of people who to-day cannot find scope for their industrial energies, cannot be overstated, and if the “Buy New Zealand Made Goods Week,” served no other purpose than that of inspiring in the people a greater measure of patriotism for their own country and her industries, it will have served a most useful purpose. The shops in the town which have made magnificent displays had a number of interested visitors yesterday. The closest inspection was made of the different kinds of New Zealand goods shown, and in some instances amazement was expressed at the general excellence of quality, to say nothing of the varied nature of such goods. The Timaru Bands have co-operated enthusiastically with those responsible for the campaign. Nightly they have turned out and played in the main street, thereby adding their quota to the industrial education being imparted to the people. Arrangements have been made for the continuation of the “Buy New Zealand Made Goods Week,” until mid-day on Saturday, when it will be brought to a close. To-day being farmers day in town, residents of the country districts will have an opportunity of seeing for themselves the wonderful strides that have been made by the “secondary industrial concerns” operating not alone in Timaru, but throughout the Dominion. They will find, much to interest them in the course of their stay in town, and will see what is being done in the way of producing consumable goods from the raw materials which they themselves raise. Glass Goods. Messrs Aiken and Robertson have a unique display of glassware made :i New Zealand. Although of only recent origin in this country, the glassmaking industry has developed at an enormously rapid rate. The quality and texture of the New Zealand made articles are comparable with any manufactured elsewhere, and all that is necessary to confirm this view is to inspect the very fine collection of goods displayed by the firm referred to. New Zealand Paints. Comparatively only a few years ago New Zealand had to rely upon other countries for its paints and oils, but now these are being manufactured in this country. Mr F. Lewis at the present moment is displaying in his shop in Stafford Street a rare collection of Berger’s paints, all of which are equal to anything ever imported here. This is an industry for which there is a general need, and by patronising or using New Zealand manufactured paints those requiring their houses and business premises painted will be assisting in increasing the number of people engaged in this industry, and thus be helping this country to recover from the present economic depression. House Furnishings. For a finer array of house furnishings it would be impossible to better the display in Mr Claude H. Shackell’s premises. Time was when goods of a similar nature and quality had to be procured om abroad, but fortunately this is no longer necessary. We have