OUT FOR BUSINESS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13336, 27 March 1911, Page 4

OUT FOR BUSINESS.

We have often heard it slated that the methods employed by some British manufacturers are ont-of-datc, and that they and their travelling representatives are not nearly so pushing and enterprising as arc foreigners. The case of the travellers who sought to do business with the natives—it may have been New Zealand—is often quoted. Tbc proverbial liking of any ordinary semi-civilised native is for something "iond" in the way of colours for wearing apparel. 'Unis, when the travellers sought for orders they were asked for bright-coloured goods. The invariable reply of the British representatives was that their firms did not manufacture such articles. The German, on the other hand, took the orders, and his house turned out the class of goods wanted. It has also been said of tho American manufacturer that he is always looking out for now machinery, and does not hesitate to scrap even new and expensive appliances if by doing so he can improve and increase his turn-over. The Britisher, on the other hand, hesitates to discard that which may have been but recently installed at considerable expense. This same subject was discussed with-Mr Bunion, a member of the Scottish Commission, who recently visited Wanganui. 'Hie enterprise of the foreign manufacturer was referred to, and an instance was quoted by a well-known local hardware merchant where a German was looking through his store, and was attracted by a very clever “jack” for use in sawmilling, manufactured in New r Zealand. The traveller promptly bought one and sent it Ui Germany, with the result that within twelve mouths a similar article to that manufactured by the New Zealand firm was being retailed in the Bomiuion at about half the price of the colonial production. Mr Dunlop was interested: perhaps impressed. Our object in thus writing is to show that the spirit of enterprise is not altogether decadent in Britain. For another local business man had occasion to tender for the supply of an engine—a suction gas-engine—for a company in a northern town. The company were about to accept the local tender, when they wore offered an engine of a similar stamp which could produce gas,cheaper from coal. The firm represented by the local resident had never previously manufactured such an engine, but tho colonial representative was out-for business, and wired Home inquiring whether his principals would build an engine for the purpose required. Prompt came the reply “Yes.” with a quote and a request to despatch at once nve tans of the coal to be used. The tender was accepted, the coal was sent, and the latest information to hand is that the engine is a great success. That is business.