HOW WOMEN CAN HELP

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 128, 28 February 1928, Page 10

HOW WOMEN CAN HELP

Sjj.—it was with mingled interest and admiration that T read (ho letter over the signature of Grace Fox in your paper of tho 1-lth inst. I have been wondering lately how Ion" (he people of onr Empire wore to take to wake tip. Grace Fox has hit the nail on tho head when she stalos that the women of our country can. in some measure at least, bring about a heller condition of filings. It is still true that the hand Hint rocks the cradle rules the would, but why does

your correspondent stop at Germanmade goods. We live in an age of mo-tor-cars, pianos, and other musical instruments, and I make bold to say that the money we send to America yearly would stagger men like Seddon. Gladstone, or Beaconsfield, if men of such calibre were amongst us to-<lay. no cannot take up a newspaper to-day but we read of those wonderful statesmen of America, from the President down, declaring that they intend to have the biggest navy that the world ever saw; that they mean to rule the waves, etc., and we, like the simpletons that we are, are determined, it seems, to furnish the money or at least a big part of it. Of course, we are told that British cars are not adaptable to our roads. Somebody once said this ivory likely a brainy American of Ihe Big Bill type), and everybody else says it. But to'-duy, between Hamilton and Auckland, one can see some of Britain’s cheapest cars manipulating the loads fwhicli are not too good by Ihe way) without trouble." Now, Mr. Editor, I hold no brief for the Germans. I am British first, second, and all the time; but I wish lo point out that while there is a certain amount ot excuse for people who have to count their pennies in buying, say, a cheap German pocket-knife, razor or toy, can anyone explain to me the mentality of a people who will buy American tinned fruits and bottled condiments, etc.? One may see in a big percentage of our grocers’ windows tinned fruits of American origin; and the outrageous part is that, while the fruits put up in our country and Australia are far superior with a much heavier syrup, vet there arc people who ask for the Ametieaii article. It would be ludicrous if it was not so serious. In America, one may purchase, say, silk halfhose at about a dollar a pair; this phenomenal price being brought about by mass production; but ask for a pair of woollen hand-knitted half-hose, made in Scotland. “Five dollars, please," they say in effect (and remember they are quite right). If one wants foreignmade goods, by gosh one will pay for them.

Now. why can’t we wake up; we don’t want to pay for all that big navy, do we? They have placed (id. per lb. on our butter, about 40 per cent., or near enough to it; why not place a flat rate, of, say, £175 duty on all motor-cars, or 80 per cent. ad. valorem upon current retail price in country of manufacture; the duty to be whichever is in the highest figure. “Big Bill,” in his determination to keep King George’s snout out, may also keep some of our money out. Why not protect our own industries? Place 80 per cent, on all tinned fruits, sauces, jams, confections, etc. What is wanted is an Empire League to educate the people of all shades of political colour, to the absurdity of so'talled free trade. Home people suffer from a terrible misconception of this fallacious doctrine. I mean the most of them; I did also before I left Home to travel the. world; and I have no hesitation in saving that the day the good folks al: Home wake up, is the day that this much boasted of supremacy in America is done. Wlmn, >f ever, Great Britain builds a tariff wall, thev again become the workshop of the world. Your correspondent has set the ball rolling, and if space permitted I could show a hundred wavs in which the women in New Zealand could help local industry. But firstly, in every instance, where possible, they should insist upon Now Zealand made goods. When that is not possible, demand Australian, or made in tho British Isles; secondly, never purchase goods, where there is a restricted selling price: demand competition to be free, at all times. No shopkeeper should Im forced to sell at any particular prices. This is economically unsound, and must lead tn trade stagnation. Lastly, what about pictures? I mean, of course, the movies. Why! this is eno of tho biggest assets America has to-day; and don’t forget—an All British Picture can’t be shown in America. — I am, etc.. W9 PER CENT. BRITISH. Hawera, February 20.