VICE-REGAL EXAMPLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1526, 7 August 1905, Page 2

VICE-REGAL EXAMPLE.

Socialists who look upon colonial Governors as use'ess representativea of an effete monarchinl system—we are not quits sure of the phraseology, but we believe it to be something like this— vt-ill be glad to hear that Lord Northeote is at last doing something to justify his position (says the Press). He has .purchased a couple of suits of Sydney tweed, and it in hoped that tho vice-regal patronage will make the local article more popular among the community. Of course, there arc several inßtanoes of Koyal 'influence at Home on languishing industries. When the Irish poplin industry was waning somo years ago, the KiDg announced that ho was going to weur poplin ties, and the lead being followed by fashionable circles, the industry was rehabilitated. Shortly afterwards the Queen came to the rescue of the Belfast Jaoe-makers, and the seat o£ fashion,for that season at any rate was. set.upon Belfast lace. But the task before Lord and Lady Northoote ana .-their staff —for Lapy Northoote has ordered of Australian tweeds and the staff have been induced to desert Bond street—is a more arduous one. The industry is only just opening ns eyas, as a Sydney paper puts it. and-there is, as with us, a prejudice against the locally-made article. A journalist, who went the round of tiie leadmg tailors in Sydney, found that as two of the most fashionable establishments therewas not a yard of Australian tweed on the shelves, and the proprietors, while agree- " ing that the stuff wore well, complained of: a lack of English finish, surface and l ?. a J tsrD : . , At othor shops, however s different tale was told, and at one in parI t '° ul “ r tho ta ; lor was quite enthusiastic | about tho merits and tho increasing ponulanty of tho local material. Quite a num* her of prominent Australians make a.practice of wearing local tweeds, among these being Mr Watson, whose patriotism extends, or rather descends, to his boots Lobb Mi Seddon wear Nero Zealand! tweeds, and if not, why not ? The woman, seem to neglect local materials even more, than the men. “ In the eyes of the ladies, - said one expert, >■ tho Australian tweed lacks imagination.” But the opinion formed by the Pressman who made these inquiries was that the outlook was distinctly promising. It will certainly be in- ' teresting So Bee whether the action of La-a end Lady. Northoote will have a marked effect upon the trade. Why not make the wearing of colonial tweeds, hats, and boots a oondition of appointment to a Governorship in the colonies ?