BRITAIN’S DAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 234, 2 October 1929, Page 8

BRITAIN’S DAY

THE EMPIRE TO THE FORE RECIPROCITY IN TRADE. To effectively mark the launching of Empire Trade Week 1929 in Wanganui, there could be no more fitting name chosen from a multitude of titles than “Britain’s Day.” That it truly is, and it would be meet to say that never before in the history of this centre has the significance of a name assumed such prominent proportions. The characteristics of ths Britisher that have moved with time ’f unceasing march and have laid tha foundations of the finest Empire in the world are loyalty and steadfastness oi purpose. It was not by accident that lands in every corner of the globe were stirred to honour the Union Jack. British energy, courage and wise Government carried the folds of the flag away from its island of birth to wield influence and give inspiration to peoples scattered to the seven seas. Public approbation greeted Britain’s democratic principles and loyalty was made manifest to knit those peoples and the lands they held to a solidity which has been the admiration of the century.

There have been times when that loyalty made itself more of a potent factor than usual. War has been a medium to that end. Martial music has stirred the pulses and a quickening of the senses has grasped the fundamentals of duty to Empire. But it needs no war, no martial music, no heroics to make live the Britisher’s pride in his own possessions. In peace, as in war and times of stress, a Britisher is nothing if not loyal. His is probably not the type to broadcast his feelings to the wide world, but that docs not detract from the value of his loyalty or the effect of it. In the field of commerce and trade, where competition is the dominating factor, the British tradesman and. manufacturer display their loyalty in’ the class of material they place on th< world’s market. Thoroughness and de pendability, deep rooted in the nature: of the men themselves, arc revealed i® the work they do. Many hold that those qualities are overdone; that in an age of speed the essential of success is alertness rather than steadfastness. Against that there rises the unrefutable argument that it pays to buy dependable goods and get value for the outlay than to be cheap and buy that which needs replacing within a span short enough to make the purchase a bad bargain.

Britain has never hurried things. Her Government has moved calmly,' her world of commerce has come through at a steady, slogging pace. She has seen with understanding eyes, has profited from the mistakes of others, and, m reality, forced herself to world leadership in tradesmanship. To-day, her appeal is made to those who have enjoyed her democratic rule to reciprocate. Loyalty should beget loyalty. The call now is not the typ< that is made with the blood at fevei heat, when wrongs appeal to b< righted. It is a call made in the realn of peace; to take a commonsense viev and to aid in the progress of Empire So surely interlocked are the Dominions and the Motherland, so closely are their interests allied that what is good for one aids the other. Reciprocity in trade is an ideal worthy of cultivation. Britain buys New Zealand’s produce; New Zealand should buy Britain’s wares. No request could be fairer or more in keeping with the spirit of Empire. Empire Trade Week opens in Wanganui this day. Windows of the tradespeople display British goods and bespeak the hall mark of thoroughness. Local industry finds an advertising medium in the exhibition in the drill hall, an event unique in the history of the movement so far as this city is concerned. Bands will parade ’ncath the glittering lights in the streets this night. There will be procession of British cars; the National Anthem will be played at the exhibition entrance and the Mayor (Mr W. J. Rogers) will declare open the event of the year. Everywhere, in the homes, in the shops and offices, in the streets and the exhibition quarters, the spirit of Britain will be the factor of paramount importance—loyalty and steadfastness of purpose, in a universal urge to “Buy British Goods and support British people. ”

TO-DAY’S ACTIVITIES OLD AND NEW MODEL UARfi Wanganui week for the Empire will be officially opened to-day, October 2, at 8 p.m. by his Worship the Mayor,' Mr W. J. Rogers. The Mayor’s opening speech will be made from the balcony of the Majestic; Theatre, Maria Place. Prior to the official opening the Queen Alexandra Braud, Garrison Band and Highland Pipe Band will parade the Avenue, starting from Taupo Quay at 7,30 p.m. There will also be a procession of British made motor vehicles of every de-‘ scription, depicting some of the earlicst models in comparison with the latest luxurious limousines. The industrial exhibition which is a feature of the year’s Empire Trade Week will tlso be officially opened on the same night, the whole of exhibits, which are splendidly displayed, are made in Wanganui, and citi J zens will be astonished at the quality and quantity of articles that are manufactured in their own home town. A special feature of the exhibition will be miniature concerts, compete tions and a window dressing competition of which the public will act as judges. These will be held every evening. During the week the city will be gay with coloured lights, the ships will also be brilliantly illuminated and the window displays will be a revelation. The window dressing competition is certain to attract more than usual attention. The prize money totals £5O. .The public win the money and tha prize winners are those selecting the most winning windows nearest the decision of the judges. Ballot papers are on sale at almost every shop. u