GOODS FROM BRITAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19478, 22 December 1925, Page 5

GOODS FROM BRITAIN

SOME PARTLY GERMAN COMPLAINT FROM CANTERBURY A complaint that goods imported from England as British-made were found on arrival to be partly made in Germany was ventilated by Mr W. J. Jenkin at a meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Industrial Association. Air Jenkin said if New Zealand wanted German goods they could got them direct from Germany, but he did not think it was right that when buying goods from Britain with the idea of helping the people at Home they should be given articles partly made in Germany. The manufacturers should let purchasers know what they were buying. He moved: “That the attention of His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in the Dominion and the customs authorities bo called to the practice of manufacturers and merchants not disclosing the fact that that their goods were only partly made in England, and that unless the practice ceases this association must advise its members to consider whether it is in their interests to follow the policy of buying British goods.'' Mr S. Jackman said the motion was pretty stiffly worded, but he thought the case merited it. NFr H. Willis said he did not. think any good could come from passing the motion. The Government had recently increased the tariff in favour of British goods. The chairman, Mr E. H. Marriner, said there was an organisation in existence in Christchurch known as the Imperial Mission, which was formed to push British goods. The association’s I policy was to “boost” New Zealand made goods first and British goods next. Mr Jenkin: That is what we all say. Air Denys Iloare suggested it wouid be better to delete the threat from the motion. He thought the resolution should stop after the words “made in England,’’ and that the following words be added: “And that the Trade Commissioner bo invited to discuss the matter at the next meeting of presidents.” I The motion thus amended was carried.