ESSAY COMPETITION

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3822, 24 July 1928, Page 2

ESSAY COMPETITION

TWO FOXTON PRIZE-WINNERS

Some time ago the C. M. Ross Coy. Ltd., inaugurated an essay competition among school children, the object being the worthy one of awakening interest in the mind of youth on the subject of preference to Empire-made goods. , The competition was open to High School and Primary school pupils and the subject was: “Why we should give preference to goods made within the Empire." The prize-winners were as follows :

High Schools. —Eula Arthur (Palmerston N. Girls’ High School) best, Freda Levien (P.N. Convent Girls’ High School), Malcolm J. Mason (Foxton D.H.S.), J. Allen (P.N. Boys’ High School], W. L. Birnie (P.N. Boys’ High School) special prize. In the Primary Schools division, the winners were: —Molly Palmer (West End), Lorraine Holdng (Central), E. Peters (Kokouwhitu), Joan Shearer (College St.), Nancy Field (Fitzherbert East), Margaret Oram (Carncot), Leicester Thompson (Foxton). The following is the essay written by Malcolm Mason: — “Buy British Goods’’ is a slogan that we often hear. What is its significance? It is because it is realized that, if every British subject were to purchase goods made within the Empire, as a nation, we should forge ahead.

In most of the countries of the Empire, there is, to a certain extent, unemployment. By purchasing goods made in the Empire, we are indirectly employing Englishmen. Continued patronage of Em-pire-made commodities would mean their increased output, and incidentally a raised standard of quality. A need for more workmen would also be created, with the result that the unemployed would be absorbed. Thus, as unemployment retards progress, it is our duty to buy British-made goods. In our ordinary home life, if we need anything we go to the members of the family or to our relations, before going to outsiders. Similarly, "when we need any commodities, we should give preference to those produced within the Empire, which is really a family of nations, before purchasing foreignmade articles. By exchanging goods within the Empire, we can receive consideration through the medium of Reciprocal Trade Acts and Preferential Tariffs. Gratitude for England’s help in the days of our infancy should help us to consider her in our prosperity. Besides, British goods compare more than favourably with similar goods produced in foreign countries.

At the present time, New Zealand produces mainly primary products. Enterprising business men are attempting to commence secondary industries in our midst. For these industries to become firmly established, they need local support, which should be given by every New Zealander. By supporting these industries we help the country to become self-supporting, an important factor in war time. Moreover, by eliminating freight charges and customs duties we keep our money in this country, and so oui' prosperity is further enhanced. The sentiment of patriotism therefore dictates that, from an imperial point of view, we buy Bri-tish-made goods, and from a purely national standpoint we give preference to goods manufactured in our own country.

The following is the essay written by Leicester Thompson:W!e, who are all of the British race, know that Britain, since she has started manufacturing makes only the best of goods, therefore, as we all want to make our own Empire selfsupporting we should buy and trade as far as it is possible within our own Empire. As Britain buys our raw products we should in return buy from her, products that she manufactures herself. We should also think that the more we buy from our own Empire the more work will be provided for Empire work-men. For in buying goods from a foreign country, British money is sent to the foreigner to keep his people employed while British people find it hard to get employment. Then the Empire will not remain prosperous.

Before the great war we had bought approximately forty million pounds worth of goods from Germany. That forty million helped Germany to buy material for war. Whereas if that sum went to Britain it would help her to expand her trade and give us protection from outside nations.

New Zealand exports butter, cheese, timber, wool,, frozen meat and such products that are produced from a country where a large portion of the inhabitants are engaged in various methods of farming. New Zealand has an abundance of raw material to supply her own needs, and the balance is sent mainly to Britain or to other British Colonies. Therefore since New Zealand is essentially a country dependent on the products of the soil, there is no facility for manufacturing on a larger or more elaborate scale. England with her teeming population and centuries old experience can provide manufactured necessities that New Zealand could not possibly produce. Thus by interchanging and balancing trade between New Zealand and Britain, or for that matter, any part of the British Empire, the Empire should become quite self-sup-porting. Also both countries benefit and the financial position is strengthened.

JUDGE’S COMMENTS. I have read with great pleasure the essays you sent to me (wrote the judge, Mr. D. W. Low exschoolmaster). All the essayists show a good understanding of the subject, and their ideas are expressed in good English. In my judgment the essay written by Eula Arthur of the Girls’ High School is the best. Two others — one from Foxton and the other from Palmerston North Boys’ High School—were also exceptionally good, but the latter was considerably longer than the length stipulated in your conditions. In judging the essays I have considered firstly the reasons given, and secondly, language and style.