SELF-RELIANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 1, 23 March 1927, Page 13

SELF-RELIANCE

It is to surprise these people and to convince them that the articles made here are up to foreign standards that the New Zealand-made Preference League has organised an exhibition in the Civic Square. This industrial fair was opened this afternoon. Twenty-one tents, having a floor space of about 10,000 square feet, have been erected in a quadrangle and each one of them is packed, artistically of course, with articles and products of this country. Astonishment at the variety of the manufactures awaits well-informed persons. There are exhibits of everything from clothing to electric stoves, guns and ammunition to wireless apparatus ; polishes and paints to leather bags and go-carts. Patent foods for man and beast, motoring gear, electric pumps, tiles, and galvanised iron are all represented. After seeing the exhibition not a few careless shoppers will awake from their apathy and remember that it is to their own interests to patronise the products of their own country. The welfare of existing industries depends on their action. The exhibition will be open to the public each night until 10 p.m., and there will be no charge for admission. Music will be provided by the Ponsonby Boys’ Brass Band. AIMS OF THE LEAGUE

Formed about a month ago, the New Zealand-made Preference League is launching a Dominion-wide campaign to convince New Zealanders that not only charity but business begins at home. The- league defines its main object as an attempt “to educate public opinion to appreciate the wisdom of giving preference to New Zealand-made primary, secondary and artistic products.” By this effort it hopes to help New Zealanders to be more self-reliant, to make the country prosperous by building up new industries which will develop the nation, and to guarantee security by an increase in man-power and a building up of defence funds. The second aim is to reduce unemployment and provide for a rapid and easy absorption of new population by these means. Public appreciation of the excellence and variety of New Zealand products is to be secured, production of the highest.-grade articles and commodities is to be encouraged, and individuals with capital to invest are to be attracted to the country. It is the desire of the league to assist both the producer and the consumer. Inferior productions and unreasonable prices are to be discouraged. To carry through this ambitious scheme it needs the help of every New Zealander. It is enrolling as associate members all who will pledge to give preference in all purchases, to New Zealand goods.

Dominion’s Industries “BUY NEW ZEALAND GOODS” OPENING OF EXHIBITION What is made in New Zealand? Butter and cheese, frozen mutton and woollen rugs, many people would say and then rack their brains in vain to remember what other products they had seen labelled “ Made in N.Z.”

The organising superintendent of the league, Mr. W. H Honey, and the secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. Findlay, have been responsible for most of the labour of making the fair representative and successful. The Hon. George Fowlds is president of the league, and Messrs C. A. Whitney and Joseph Butler, vice-presidents. LAY-OUT OF THE FAIR This is the lay-out of the fair: Tent No. 1: League’s office. Tent No. 2: Kapai Broom Company. Henderson and Pollard, joinery doors. Wins tone, Ltd., tjles. S. Parker, Ltd., galvanised iron. Nugget Polish Co. of New Zealand, Ltd. Tent No. 3: General Motors (N.Z.), Ltd. Tent No. 4: J. Wiseman and Sons, Ltd., leather goods. W. A. Thompson and Co., go-carts. Sexton Motors, wireless. Tent No. 5: John Burns and Co., Ltd., paints. Evans Hooper and Co , agricultural implements. Tent No. -6: G. A. Bond and Co., hosiery. Napier Woollen Mills, Ltd. Tent No. 7: Big Orange Drink Co. Tent No. 8: N.Z. Cattlecake and Oil Co., Ltd. J. B. Mac Ewan and Co., Ltd., pumps. Rushton Motors, carburetter attachment. Tent No. 9: N.Z. Reed Loom Co. Tent No. 10: H. E. Shacklock, Ltd., stoves. Tent No. 11: Palmer, Collins and Whittaker, Ltd., leather goods. Tent No. 12: Ambler and Co., Ltd., shirts and clothing. Berlei, Ltd., corsets. Dearslys, Ltd., footwear. Tent No. 13: Macky Logan, Caldwell, Ltd. Wellington Woollen Mills, Ltd. Tent No. 14: Onehunga Woollen Mills, Ltd. Kaiapoi Woollen Mills. Ltd. Tent No. 15: E. Le Roy, tents. Tent No. 16: Colonial Ammunition Co., N.Z., Ltd., guns, fishing tackle. Nestle’s condensed milk. Tent No. 17: Tattersfield, Ltd., bedding. Tent No. IS: S. A. Smith, cleanser. Tent No. 18a: J. Pine, sarsaparilla. British Imperial Paint Co., Ltd. Mount Eden Turnery. Johns, Ltd., wireless. Auto Machine Co., nails. Tent No. 19: Ross and Glendining, Ltd. Tent No. 20: Union Oil, Soap and Candle Co. Outside.— Bate and Fraser, clothes lines. OFFICIALLY OPENED The fair was officially opened by the Mayor, Mr. George Baildon, at 12.30 to-day. He said, that there was one object in the League’s demonstration and that was to show what could be done in the manufacture of goods in New Zealand. The New Zealand-made Preference League was trying to make the public understand that the manufactures of this country could stand up against any competition. It was well known that the Dominion had big primary products like butter, cheese, meat and wool. At the fair there were some excellent exhibits of the New Zealand-made clothing and materials. These were 99 per cent. Dominion-made, the other one per cent, being the imported dye used. Another object for the League’s show is the “fostering of new industries,” continued the Mayor. “Every industry which is started means the employment of more men. We have the unemployment problem with us and if we can get more industries we shall be going the right way to solve it. The situation will be eased if we can get the people to consider the New Zealand-made article before the foreign one, thereby encouraging the industry.” He urged those present to start the purchasing of New Zealand goods straight away. “If you clear out all the shops and factories they will have to take on more men and the unemployment will dwindle,” he said The mayor congratulated the League on its fair and said that he hoped the public would take full adVE.ntage of the exhibition and resolve to support the objects of the League. A vote of thanks to the mayor was carried by acclamation on the motion of Mr. A. C. Whitney.