BRITISH GOODS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 226, 12 June 1918, Page 8

BRITISH GOODS

BIG TRADE EXHIBITION

DISPLAY AT PALMERSTON NORTH

II is Majesty's Trade Couuuisaionor (Mr. f\. \\\ Ballon) is again organising aii exhibition of British-manufactured jfuods The Palmerstou Show authorities have placed nt his disposal a considerable amount of space for the purpose, and it will all be filled. After the war, for a variety of reasons, but largely becauso production in the United Kingdom will bo much greater than it was before, more active steps to market British goods will bo necessary. The Imperial Government ban fully realised the needs which tho after-war years will create, and ha? been preparing for some time 10 establish proper , organisations, both at Home and abroad, which will bo ready immediately war demands ceaso to develop trade in all parts of, tho world; this development will be vitally nece.-SBTy us a means for recuperation.' Exhibitions of British goods will be held as an unimportant part of thia programme of trade development. The Imperial Government has iteelf organised annual exhibitions in London, which have attracted considerable attention, and, in spite of war conditions, have proved extremely encccssful. Although this annual exhibition has for the timo being been limited to five trades (trades in which Germany prior to tho war was very successful) the numbor of manufacturers who have taken part in successive exhibitions has varied from over 400 to over GOO." Tt is intended to hold (his exhibition annually under Government control, and that after the war it shall be made specially attractive to all oversea buyers. It is realised that it will not bo sufficient merely to organise exhibitions in London. Tho most valuable markets Great Britain has aro overseas, ami it is part of the Imperial Government's policy to develop this idea, and a plan for sending an exhibition round (he world (but primarily to the Dominion?) has already been worked out. As soon l as possible after the war an exhibition under Imperial Government control and attended by representatives of the Government will be dispatched from England to visit the variety Dominions. This will be merely the beginning of a scheme the possibilities of which are almost unlimited. But it is realised that much can bo dono in the Dominions themselves by the co-opera-tion, of ngenta of British firmj. The experiment made by Mis Majesty's Trade Commissioner at Hawera last year proved very successful, «o far as the enormous difficulties surrounding any venture of this kind would allow. At the request of those who took part last year a further trial is. now being uifldo at Palmerston North. Although the difficulties now are greater than they werelast year the space occupied at j'alinerston North will be larger than, that at Ilawera. Soum firms have found it difficult to got any goods to exhibit, and one exhibitor at .least has none; in this case, however, tho exhibitor realises tho value of the exhibition, as a medium for advertising to Ms clientele that the nonoxistence of goods to exhibit being the result of the war is an argumeut to all British people that they should not overlook the fact that British goods will again be available after the war and should not bo forgotten now. , The Imperial Government is favourable to the development of the idea. Jt had ber-n the intention of the TJspartment of Overseas Trade to get; together and send out for exhibition at Palmer-s-ton -i collection of British goods, but' this was Hiibsetiuently found impossible owing to (he, alteration of movements of ships. It is realised that in New Zealand at least dm existence of thoroughly established agricultural shows forms 11 valuable means, ready to hand, for the exhibition of manufactured goods, and it is not impossible that wheu the war is overt exhibition at these shows will be extended, provided the necessary facilities .are given by the show authorities.

Show grounds and show buildings also may lie used for special.ami genwal exhibitions nt times wheu they arc otherwise idle; proposals for one such exhibition after Ihe war at; an important centre jire already well in train. Apart from the ayrk-nltural. shows, however, it. will be possible, with the co-operation of agents in New Zealand, to -organise large exhibitions at the wain centres, and this is part of the programme which His Majesty's Trade Commissioner has in view.

While the object of t,liest> devolopnirnts is primarily the extension of British trade, they cannot but- have a beneficial result mi the business in New Zealand, and also on the revtfhim of the agriiuiltiirul shows so far as they are concerned. To nil who have British interests at heart ihe-.c exhibitions are bound to appeal.

The .exhibitions al: Pnlnierslon .North ami lliiwera. have been styled British Trade Exhibitions, but .their size preclude,? Hi is being in any sense accurate. They (ire, unquestionably British, but they are in no sense representative of all the lnultitniie of business interests at Home. They include, however, products of some of the wealthiest iind most important firms at Home, and others would undoubtedly exhibit if conditions n't all permitted. The. main object at* present is to accustom exhibitors and show authorities to the. ideu. When the wnv is over and conditions are easier it should be possible to offjauise nn exhibition which will be really representative, and which, will sho-,\- the enormoiu; development which have taken place in Knglaiid since .the war.

These exhibitions iilso serve the purpose of keeping alive an inters** in British trade at a time when nianiifaclurers and traders at Home are unable to supply goods required, for thw reason alono (hey must serve a useful purpose, particularly within the Empire, .where all interests must be in favour of rapid recovery from the evil effect? of w.ir conditions.