BRITISH INDUSTRIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16366, 3 March 1921, Page 7

BRITISH INDUSTRIES.

A FILM EXHIBITION, The screening of films showing sxaine of the leading British firms’ efforts at post-war industrial reconstruction attracted a large and representative attendance this morning, at the Liberty Theatre. The exhibition was held under the auspices of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, and Mr W. M. Tyers, president of the Chamber, presided. Lord Jellieoe had consented to open the exhibition, and on his arrival lie was welcomed by, among others, Mr Tyers, Dr Thacker, M.P., Mr L. M. lsitt, AI.P., Mr A. G. Henderson (president of the Progress League), Mr WJenkin (chairman of the Canterbury Industrial Association), Mr H. J. Marriner (chairman of the local branch of the Navy League), and Captain Drysdale, who is in charge of tho filmscreenings. As the Governor-General remarked, “ speeches were barred.” but as a preliminary. Mr Tyers expressed the Chamber's gratification at the Gov-ernor-General consenting to be present, and said that they were always interested in British industrial projects, and took a specially lively interest lately, when two years’ imports were received here in one year. Commerce | was possible by the interchange of goods and services, not by the payments of gold. If they received no thing but gold for their goods they would soon grow tired of the sovereign. The interest taken in the films to bo screened would be increased by their desire to know what the Motherland had to send in. exchange for our primary products. Lord Jellieoe expressed the great pleasure he felt at being asked to open the exhibition. Many advantages could bo expected to the Dominion from the exhibition. Much as his sympathies were with the Motherland, his sympathies now, and whilst he remained in his present office, and after that, probably, were with tho. welfare oT New Zealand and its people. He I trusted the exhibition would do sorav- | thing to further tlie welfare of the Dominion. The times coining. he vra« i afraid, would not be immediately bright, and for tho more important j products of New Zealand the botto. i . of tlie market seemed to be falling j out. New Zealand, however, had experienced that sort of thing before, i and he had no doubt but that the grit lof the people would carry them l through anything. Tho exhibition j might help to find New Zealand a new outlet tor goods that could not be disposed of with ndTOntag© at present- It was with great pleasure that he declared the exhibition open. Captain Drysdale expressed his thanks to the Governor-General, the Chamber of Commerce and to the Progress League and Industrial Association for the ready help and sympathy extended to him and his mission. The | object of ihe exhibition was to show ! that tlie Motherland had re-organised, ; and was more game now than even beI tore the war. (Applause.) The pic- ' tures to bo shown were of every-day life in the factories and yards concerned, and were not “ stagemanaged.” Tie hoped all who witnessed the screening would thus be better informed of Great Britain’s industrial efficiency. Many scenes were screened of the works of Sir W. G. Armstrong. Whitworth and Co., Elswiek, and the processes of manufacture and construe- ! Lou of locomotives, aeroplanes, trainferry, airships, etc., were followed with keen interest. The stain!??* cutlerv v-oi-ks of Thomas Firth and Co., Sheffield, the shipbuilding yards of W Beard more and Co., the Oldham Cotton Mills. and Allen Fveritt and Co.’s engineering works, were described in turn, and the whole exhibition was as interesting ;>« it was instructing. Admission of adults to the various sessions is free, and the invitation will probably bo freelv taken advantage of whilst tlie films are shown in CjTiW church. J