“MADE IN JAPAN."

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1919, Page 4

“MADE IN JAPAN."

AWAKENING CONSCIENCE IN MANUFACTURE.

NEW STANDARDS OF QUALITY.

When the Japanese Commercial Mission visited New Zealand over a year ago it was impressed upon the members that Japan was exporting goods not up to sample, and was injuring her own commercial prestige by supplying a class of goods that could scarcely sustain Japanese trade in these parts, when the other manufacturing countries, then lor the most part engaged in war industries, again resumed manufacturing those lines which Japan was then supplying. Samples ot the articles were shown the Japanese visitors, and the position was placed fairly before them. They saw at once the danger ol the cheap and nastj r policy that was being pursued by some of their manufacturers to the detriment of the permanence of Japanese trade in Australia and New Zealand, and gave it out that they would do their best to rectify matters on their return to Japan. This has been attended to, and a notification to local importers of matches, glassware, enamelled ware, braids, and hosieries has been received in Wellington. This sets out that the Department of Agriculture and Commerce of the Imperial Japanese Government has issited ordinances and orders, with a view to maintaining the quality of the articles mentioned. By virtue of these ordinances and orders the exportation of all manufactures which do not pass the inspection of the trade associations or the union associations organised by the manufacturers or dealers concerned, or by the prefectural authorities is prohibited. The articles which do come up to the standard demanded will bear the “ certification stamp,” a copy of which is printed on the communication. Where there is no such official means of supervision to enforce inspection, permission for the export of goods is to be given by the prefectural authorities concerned, and the wrappers or the boxes containing the articles must bear the “ permission stamp,” also reproduced in the circular. For the information of the consumers of these articles who may be interested, a few of the points are set out regarding the various lines of goods that Japan exports to New Zealand. In matches, for example, the following defects will place the article below the standard quality : (1) When the tip is . not dry enough, and does not ignite well, or the ignition is insufficient, or too much smoke is emitted on ignition, or if it explodes on ignition, or if it is unable to resist moisture or temperature in ordinary circumstances. (2) If the sticks are less than 3 rin (about ii, millimetres) square, or if they are not of uniform size, or if they are dirty. (3) Those boxes which contain over five per cent (10 per cent for the first year ot enforcement ot the regulations) of useless sticks, or those boxes which are not strong, or are damaged, or which have loose drawers, or if made of wood too thin. In the case of glassware (and New Zealand has imported much Japanese glassware), such articles as stipulated below will be refused exportation :

(1) Those which are crooked or nial-formed.

(2) Those which are incompletely annealed.

(3) Those which contain mauj' bubbles, knots, or streaks. (4) Those which are not transparent.

(5) Those which are damaged or broken.

(6) Mineral water bottles and bottles for soda water or any other sparkling water which cannot resist an iuner pressure required for practical use. (7) Artificial pearls or glass balls in which the colour used may change or fade quickly.

lii the same manner enamelled ware must not be crooked or malformed, but must have good lustre, be well finished, and must bear in English on the bottoms either the words “jointed” or “ annealed,” to show whether the article is jointed or soldered. The hosiery to be debarred from export is such as may be made to unusual measurements, or made of fabrics unduly coarse, or stretched, or of material not of uni-

form thickness, or which may have flaws, irregular in its make, loose ends, or is inelastic. If made of artificial silk the same is to be clearly indicated.