HARDWARE IN NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14886, 28 January 1914, Page 5

HARDWARE IN NEW ZEALAND.

THE FA'KIBITIOX IX LONDON. REPORT OX EXQCnUES. CrROU OUR OW.V COMIESrO.VDENT). LONDON, December 1.0. 'J'he Committee of the London Camber of Comrucreo which had charge of the exhibition of samples of hardware collected by the British Trade Commissioner (Sir Wickham) in the New Zealand market, has made a report on the result of its investigations amongist British firms as to the possibility of making the same articles in England. The questions and replies are here summarised: — Can the goods bo made equally well in this country?—The- reply- is invariably in the affirmative—that they not only can be, but are made in this country. If so, can they be profitably made at the price! , —The replies to this question arc again in the. affirmative. Ono firm, however, alleges that the constant raising ol petty taxation causes, workmen to demand higher wages, which they invariably" get, but in return do less work. To what extent are these foreign goods equal or superior in quality—if higher in price—than British goods for similar purpose* ? —Ono reply indicates that these imported goods are not equal in quality to British goods, and adds that certaiuly (hey aro not superior. What evidence- is there that any of the low-priced goods have been "dumped" into New .Zealand to the prejudice of tho British article produced at a fair rate of-profitP—Replies are to the effect that there is no evidence that any of the. goods exhibited have been "dumped" into the New Zealand market, although an opinion is ox- ' pressed that it is done Is there anything in the statements frenly made by British Trade Commissioners and others as to the superior "JKot-np" of foreign poods as compared with British, Jind as to the manner m which the requirements of the market are studied ?—-One reply etates: 'There is nothing whstever in these statements." Another firm says: "A very big 'Yes' to this." Are our manufacturers wiljiiiß tc adapt themselves to the requirements of the New Zealand market, or are their methods too conservative? —The general opinion expressed is that the British mannfneturcr is ready and willing to adapt himself to the New Zealand, or any other market, if the business is likely to prove remunerative. 'A firm of horticultural engineers make this reply: "Query?" Why are those goods of all others produced and sold in competition with British goods? Is it because the British manufacturers are unable, or is it because they are unwilling to do the business?— One firm writes: "It is not because we are unable or unwilling to do the business.- It may he, as in the case of the. Deitz lamp—-they are being made [ in very large quantities by the AniPi- | icai's. with the result that they aro ! sold at cut prices, thus pushing British ! goods from the market. " Another answer puts it thus: "Probably thin* are the most required. It is not because the British manufacturers cannot produce them, but when a new article is introi dnced those interested see their Trade Society representatives at a conference, and if the production of the article is thought likely to cause sweat- ! ing or-distress in tho market, the cmi plover either has to cfase making it or employ foreigners. Other charges have ako to be considered, such a.s local tariffs, freights, etc. ,, ! A TOO-PLEASED NATION. ; Ona manufacturer wrote: —"I went to see if there were any things exhibited which would compete with those which we manufacture. I found only one exhibit in this class; that was welt I made and sold at a strictly low price, i believe that the talk of 'dumped' goods is a truly British excuse for want of push on the part of British manufacturers in general. I do think we aro too pleased, as a nation, with our own methods to consider seriously the all-important question of the requirements of other countries, and we certainly get 'left' on that account. The goods exhibited could all be done at the price in this country if manufacturers would put them on tho market in New Zealand in large enough quantities to make it worth while. Knowing how to place goods is a problem that the British manufacturer knows little about, and no trouble is taken to investigate it. Some of the goods could havo been bought hero quite as well, if not to better advantage. Smiths' tools we particularly noticed: also joiners braces —there are two makers in Sheffield making braces equal to anything produced in America or Germany at competitive prices. Many American tools are not made here, such as iron planes and quick-releasing stocks and dies: the latter are of particular importance, and there is lack of enterprise in this direction. Our merchants only talk price: very few know any- > thine of the goods being bought, and I tho question of quality is seldom con-

sidered. In all tools- we consider that the. question of 'quality should come first." The committee's report, concludes :■ — 'Thorp iA no doubt that as regards many of tho' ai tides exhibited, competitive' British productions will bo —if they have not already been—placed on the market as a direct result of th« exhibition. If such exhibitions wore, made continuous, manufacturers might be licjir in touch with iuw developments of foreign entp'-pnso nnd co,iipt-ufion. The Chamber-. may pardonably record its satisfaction at the success of the moyement. and with it. something like confidence that the 'usefulness of these exhibitions' —to ciuote one of the replies—'in "iving British manufacturers r>. knowledge of the competition they have to meet, and the requirements of tlioir colonial customers will bo generally fin-i atrtndnnt'.y acknowledged by all those whom it may, or does, concern."