GAINING FAVOUR.

Putaruru Press, 5 January 1928, Page 6

GAINING FAVOUR.

N.Z. PRODUCE AT HOME. Empire Trade Growing. A favourable impression of the standing of New Zealand products on the British markets, _ with a markedly increased purchase thanks to the efforts of the Marketing Board, was made, on Mr L. O. H. Tripp, of Wellington, who returned by the Ulimaroa this week from a tcur abroad. ‘ 1 During my travels in England, Scotland, and Ireland, like other New Zealanders, I did my best to impress upon upon the people I met the importance of buying produce and goods from and manufactured in the Empire, 1 1 said Mr Tripp. tl There is no doubt that since I was "in England six years ago there is a marked change in the attitude of many toward this question, and over and over agaiu people I met volunteered the statement that they were now purchasing New Zealand butter, and Australian raisins, etc., in preference to the foreign produce. The Empire Marketing Board is rendering most valuable assistance to New Zealand and other parts of the Empire by advertising, lectures, and other propaganda, asking the public to purchase the productions of the Empire. When in Ireland my hostess

told me that in the winter she always purchased New Zealand butter, and when I was there New Zealand apples were on the table'. Home Preference Lacking"/ “I am convinced that the effort ot the Empire Marketing Board and the different High Commissioners and the different boards in London which are looking after the sales of the oversea Empire products, will have a marked effect for the benefit of the Empire in the future. Blit whilst 1 found many of the people I met making a point of buying our butter, etc., in preference to Danish, ye*t they have not as a rule made a point of buying their own manufactured goods in preference to imported goods. This aspect impressed me so much that I called at the office of the Empire Marketing Board and told the officials that I met, that in my opinion as they were issuing special posters asking people to buy goods in New Zealand, Australia, and other parts of the Empire, they ought to have a special poster for the British Isles asking the public to buy goods manufactured in the British Isles, and so give work to their working men. “I notice that an American writer j who has been in England studying the economic position has formed the same

impression as I have, and he says that the people of the British Isles must bo more loyal to themselves and insist on getting and purchasing goods made in the British Isles. England Paying Her Way. 11 1 left England proud of my Mother land, realising how she suffered during the war, having most of her skilled men disabled or killed and her industries all disorganised. I think it wonderful what she has done, and is doing, to recover her trade, and in spite of her losses and heavy taxation, is paying every penny she owes. “i should like to pay a tribute to the good work that Sir James Barr and his staff arc doing. Just before I left London, though very busy, Sir James Barr went to the Midlands and addressed, I think, nine meetings of business men on the importance of trading within the Empire, and I am told that the tlie business men were much impressed with his arguments. As I understand, the people in the Midlands have for years purchased Danish butter, and are used to it, it is very im-

portant to New Zealand to capture that market. I always found the High Commissioner and staff, though very busy, only too glad to help New Zealanders in any way possible. ”