Our Industries

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1082, 20 September 1930, Page 6

Our Industries

Precept and Practice

CARRYING OUT GOOD ADVICE “True Patriotism and the Height of Prudence” IT is true patriotism and the height of prudence to supportloeal industries by purchasing their products. If these are not available of the description and quality and at the price desired, then and then only is the purchase of imported goods justifiable.” <

That is the latest message broadcast by his Excellency the GovernorGeneral, Lord Bledisloe, when invited by the manufacturers of Wellington to make some pronouncement for the New Zealand Industries Week, nowbeing featured in the shop windows of our Capital City. ALL OF THE SAME OPINION Simultaneously with the message from the Governor-General, we find the Acting-Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Labour Party in Parliament, and the Minister of Industries and Commerce, all of the same opinion, and sending similar messages from their different viewpoints, all emphasising the urgent call for all New Zealanders to realise the vital importance at the present time of keeping their money in the country by spending it in keeping our New- Zealand workers employed in preference to outsiders. All these political leaders sink their part}- differences and unite in -appealing to

the people of New Zealand to do all in their power to encourage the productive capacity of the country, which effort alone can tide us over slack times, by spending their money on the purchase of goods which keep our own workers busy making our own materials into the things we require. SYMPATHY AND ACTION As a result of messages similar to these being brought prominently before the people for some time past, there has been a marked change in. the attitude of the public tow-ard our workers' products. Prejudice and unfounded preferences have given way before the practical demonstrations of the quality and value of our own made goods, and some who still cUng to preconceived ideas that no good can come out of a New Zealand workshop are also quite in sympaflkjr With the broad principles or theory supporting our own industries.

But our manufacturers and their workers do not ask for sympathy or moral support, any more than our unemployed workers want charity or doles. What they want are orders for goods, no matter how big or how small, and when you order New Zealand-made goods you are adding your weight and your money toward keeping the wheels of industry turning here, increasing our wealth production, and doing your bit toward building for the future and helping the return of prosperity. The Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe have already done something more than advise us; they have ' been proud to appear at official functions where his Excellency took those present into his confidence, and told them that from head to foot he and her Excellency were clad in New Zealand-made goods, and were more than satisfied with the quality and value of what they had purchased. There have been times when those most interested in pushing the sale

our local products have been so forgetful or careless that unthinkingly j they have spent their money on imported goods when equal or better value might have been obtained by insisting on Xew Zealand-made. A STORY WITH A MORAL Some years ago—and there is no harm in telling the story now —at a national conference of manufacturers, strong resolutions were passed demanding more protection for local industries. and further restrictions on imported goods which were competing with similar commodities made here. A deputation waited on those in power, and submitted the resolutions with eloquent figures and arguments in support, i It was only after the deputation - 1 had retired. and foregathered l in another place, that one member ‘

interrupted the mutual tonip; imem br agreeing that thev bad m, case with convincing facts i C d „ ons. but he said he Y** - many of them present were mg what they preached' a. ronti tial census was taken, and found that in the matter of hats. «,i, collars, ties, overcoats, shirts, ’nmiY’ wear, socks, boots and shoes th was scarcely one among the facturers’ deputation who was not sinner against the economic light. had failed somewhere in stnvinr"V® 4 the path of right and patriotic chasing. " psr ' REALISING THE RIGHT THING That was many years ago. and th, incident raised a half-hearted lanSr but it brought home to those ind„ trial leaders the lesson that thev n „. only had to produce the right good. but had to do the right thing hv bar ing them and converting the publi,’ to a sense of prudence and patrio’iss which would guide them to insisting on being served with New Zealand goods when shopping. Our ma’nuta/ turers have also learned the lesson mutual aid and the advantage of ing from other local everything made here that can b. used in their industries. Distrust ha§ given way to co-operation, and maw branches of our local industries now inter-dependent on each other L that by buying the product of ow industry those of many subsidiary dustries will be found embodied in th» article.

THE EXAMPLE FROM FAR SOUTH The example, quoted today, of the Southland firm whose 300 employees. from the managingdirector to the office boy, are all tlad solely in New Zealand-mad. apparel and footwear, is an inspiration to those in business whn are now bewailing the fact that

business is quiet and money it shy. The firm that wants to do better business should sell more products of our local workers and increase cur workers* purchasing power. Let them impress on their own employees what Lord Bledisloe calls “true patriotism and the height of prudence." by urging on their staffs to buy our local goods themselves, and also by impressing on all customers the value of buying New Zealand goods. When our shoppers’ cash is spent on local goods, the money flows and circulates among the local workers From them it spreads everywhere and everyone benefits. The more local workers our buyers employ the bigger and better business becomes AYhen You Are Satisfied That A'o« Are Getting Good Advice. Apply ll By Demanding The Products Of Ned Zealand Workers.