LABELS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 923, 16 September 1910, Page 4

LABELS.

A proposal of a 1 highly 'important character—important, that, is to say,; in_ respect of the principle involved '-r-is 'contained .Factories Act Amendment Bill introduced by Mil. Millar.' This i.s the proposal, to moke it compulsory to affix the label "Made in New Zealand" to goods of hom« manufacture. In itself this proposal is not one against which there are overwhelming, objections. Nor, we should say, can any very strong reasons be advanced in its support. If the adoption of the label would materially assist our manufacturers, . 1 most people would strongly approve the. Minister's proposal. Unfortunately we are unable to take the view, that tho label will benefit, our manufactures to any appreciable extent at all. In a case in which the article is generally preferred to the homo product the balance will not; be altered by the introduction of the national labeL The people ' who prefer the foreign article will continue to buy it until tho lpcal nianu : facturer can give better value., The people who, as a matter of , principle, support local industry do not .require the label to help them in- their purchasing.' • The only new custom that the. label can secure for the local article is the custom! lost through the palming-off of foreign goods as New Zealand manufactures. And how much foreign stuff is thus sold? Is any? Indeed, are the actual facts not just the other way, if anything? There may be _ some considerations that are not visible to Us which may help out a case for the label. We should be' very glad indeed if we.'could bplieve that our manufactures could be helped by this means. But Parliament will be well advised to insist upon getting convincing reasons before agreeing to the Minister's proposal. For it must- occur to every thoughtful perr son that the national label will establish a precedentwhich jvill make much easier than it would be at present the introduction of the "union label." For thei paissage of an innocuous thing. a gap will have been made through which a noxious thing may .pass later 911.