BUY EMPIRE GOODS!

Waipa Post, Volume 36, Issue 2144, 14 April 1928, Page 5

BUY EMPIRE GOODS!

I Sir,-n-While we hear this -slogan or see it quoted daily, it is startling to read' Hiat for 1927 the United States commanded 90 per cent of our importations of films into New Zealand. This is a fine (?) state of affairs, and one that should be drastically dealt with by our legislators. If the public cannot get away from the Yankeestuff by demanding British goods, then it is the duty of the Government to compel them to do so. We are getting altogether too much -of the Yankee outlook from these films, as well as paying out 90 per cent of our good, hard cash to those from whom we. get next to nothing in the way of reciprocal business. Indeed, when we did try to get our butter on their market, what did they do? Recognising that their own farmers could not compete with our high-grade article, they immediately put up a tariff wall which made it quite impossible for ub to market our produce there. It is high time we spent our money with those who buy from us. By so doing they will be enabled to buy more and still more, and thus increase our prosperity as well as their own. The tidy sum of £216,590 went to America last year for films. Why not send it to Britain in future?' The Yanks may have it “ on us ” at present so far as making pictures is concerned; but nobody has any doubt that—given the necessary stimulus Britain can deliver the goods equal to the best in the world. Has it done been done in other directions?—l am, etc., EMPIRE FIRST.