"IS IT BRITISH?"

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16653, 19 November 1925, Page 4

"IS IT BRITISH?"

COLLEGE ESSAY CONTEST, A WINNER'S CONTRIBUTION. The New Zealand Association of British Manufacturers and Agents recently organised in four colleges in Wellington and the Palmerston North Boys' High School an essay competition for which the Association has given to each college separately orders for hooks of considerable value for those adjudged first, second, and third in each college. The subject of the essay was: 'Ask Before You Buy 'ls It British?' " and the competition was open only to scholars of matriculation standard—that is to-say, those who have passed, in whole or part, or those who arc to be candidates this year. The results have been completely satisfactory, and the selected essays sent in by each headmaster have shown a degree of merit which is most pleasing. The following is one of the winning essays:— The slogan throughout the British Empire to-day is: "Buy British Goods." One would consider that such a slogan would be quite unnecessary among British people—that the British race the world over would be so desirous of dealing within the Empire that self-Interest alone, without consideration of any higher motive, would impel the purchase of British goods on all possible occasions. Such, however, is not the case. Foreign goods—and in particular those of Germany—are flooding our markets; are seen freely in our shops; and wc must assume are being just as freely bought. The oft-repeated vows made during the war time in respect to the purchase of goods of foreign origin have been either entirely forgotten or broken by a large section of the community. The moment the Government lifted the embargo on the importation of goods from foreign countries the influx set in to such an extent that the present campaign is today necessary to remind the public of their duty in the matter. The appeal, to succeed, must be two-fold. Firstly, the so-called sentimental side must be portrayed; and, secondly, self-interest must be appealed to. It must be remembered that the British Empire is a collection of separate entities bound together equally by ties of blood, brotherhood, and mutual co-operation. Every pound which is spent on British goods is adding to the prosperity of our own kith and kin; every pound which is spent on foreign goods is increasing the fortunes of our competitors. In point of fact there is hardly any sentimental side to be considered, for the sentiment of the matter is so closely allied to our own self-interest that it largely ceases to be sentiment. Take the facts above enumerated. Greater prosperity in Britain means greater purchasing power there — greater purchasing power of our goods, for she is our best and greatest customer. As a natural corollary, while Britain prospers we prosper. If it were not for Britain we should be a prey to the envious eyes of other countries. Without the protection afforded us by her mighty power we" should quickly cease to be an independent nation —nay, more, we should be very soon under foreign yoke. Every British article which is bought assists her in rendering that protection; every foreign article which is bought increases the power of the nation from whom it is obtained, and correspondingly lessens Britain's power to protect us. Let it not be assumed that this applies only to our late enemies. It applies equally to all foreign countries, for the friend of to-day may be the foe of to-morrow. The British Empire stands or falls on cohesion. That Empire extends over every portion of the globe. It is entirely self-supporting, so long as the principle of "Trade within the Empire" is strictly adhered to. An Em-pire-wide decision in favour of Empire trade must strengthen every participant. New Zealand's strength and prosperity are the reflex of the strength and prosperity of Britain and the remainder of the Empire. Every pound which is allowed to go outside the Empire is a national disaster; every pound which is kept inside the family is a recurring blessing. To those who have hitherto, through apathy, bought just what has been placed before them; to those who hitherto have considered the apparent Immediate saving; to those who, desiring to help their fellows within the Empire, would at the same time enhance the prosperity of themselves and New Zealand; to all these the message is plain: Let your first question before buying be always: "Is it British?"