HOME MADE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 22, 18 May 1914, Page 4

HOME MADE.

A Christchurch gentleman who bought a pair of boots in his own city the other day was supplied with an illustration of the need for the development of local patriotism, the "Lyttelton Times" tells us. He chose a boot that suited him admirably. It looked to be well made, the shape was as good as could be desired and the price seemed to indicate that the quality was high. When he asked if the boot had been made in New Zealand, the shopman professed ignorance on the point. He had an idea it had been produced locally, he said, but was not sure. No brand of any description was to be found on the leather or the lining. The box gave no information beyond a statement of the size and style of the goods. The purchaser, therefore, was left doubting and local manufacturers lost a good advertisement, or evaded a bad one. The layman finds it difficult to account for, experiences of this kind. If manufacturers are afraid of the "Made in New Zealand" brand attempts to induce the public to seek colonial goods are not likely to be successful. If retailers are pandering to the old prejudice in favour of imported goods they ought to be pilloried by an association |of manufacturers, i