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Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1925, Page 2

Wiiat is the ] rime consideration in the purchase ol commodities quality ot [rice? A fair answer, .-ay.- a commercial paper, would he that both are important. But it is la mg demonstrated day by day that the purchaser will pay for guaranteed quality. Ihe existence nf Mime of the large-t establishments in the world, retail, wholesale and manufacturing. i> based on lhat truth. Thai i.s mi widely recognised that many trade associations have set up definite standards for guidance of buyers, with the happi result nl expanding sales and a greater degree oi satisfaction all around. The movement i- reaching fiirilr.'r than associations of producers. It is. indeed, recognised by the T.eagne o! Nations itself, which through its Secretariat lias lieen making an investigation of different methods of | roteefing imnerters against depre'. lated quality. I In* Interiial ional Chamber nl f ninmeree i.s also pursuing a stiulv along similar lines. Both investigation- deal with the question of standards and certificates of quality in the consuming countries ot the world as Well as in countries concerned in manufacturing and exporting, l.atin America, in particular. has always been concerned with the question of guaranteed quality of goods received, and these inquiries have extended to Kuropenn expending count l ies as a whole. Tlie diffioultv encountered in the premises is to fix a certain standard of quality. Once this is established through an association of kindred manufacturers or interests, the individual mauulactili'ors ■ ail govern themselves accordi ugly, and with a certificate from their organisation can guarantee to distant purchasers the delivery of good- which meet ill requirements. Tin * thousands of cases of disputes, reject ion- and following litigation that turn up in the course of a year's business are serious factors in the modern commercial world. I’luhahlv it will be impossible to eliminate all of the trouble, but a great deal of it can lie avoided through guarantees of standard, and the latter is not as impossible as the task at first thought appears. The dumping of inferior goods, substitutions and imitations is not. a- great to-day, perhaps, as before t lie war. but one or two countries which formerly enjoyed an unfavourable reputation in this sort of commerce will find future effort made more dillicutT if countries of solid and substantial manufacturing methods encourage the standardisation idea and enforce it in so far as they are able. The days of shoddy and pinchbeck will end if trade associations do their part. Not only that, commerce in better commodities will expand to the satisfaction and profit of everybody concerned.

1"|IK passing of till’ QtlOCll <>t llOl*. Her Majesty Alexandra. will draw mill'll sincere .sympathy to the Moral Family. Queii Alexandra was associated so intimately in the public life of the reign of Kino Edward VII. that Her Majesty became a very notable figure. It is someth inn like fifteen years since King Edward passed away, and his eldest surviving son. reigned in hi.s stead. The Queen Mother lost none of her dignity nor her popularity when stepping from the throne she Idled with her consort. She was still a great lady of the land, one who was essentially charitable and whose kindly acts and desire to be going about doing good, kept her ever in the forefront of public thought. Queen Alexandra has been a great patron of charity, and performed many notable acts to that end. Year by year the great rose day in the United Kingdom founded and patronised hv the Queen Mother has been most helpful in raising vast sums for hospital work. Her death will be greatly mourned all round the Empire for she was that type of womanhood which made the Moral Kamilv of flreal Britain stand out and he something to he admired ami loved by all w ho appreciate all that is best in Royal Motherhood.