The Portland daily press., 1898-09-23
BRITISH GOODS.
Vice Consul Heating Tells British Mer-
chants How Their Sales Can Be Increased
in Portland.
tba Consular journal and Greater

(From the Consular Journal and Greater
Britain of London, Sept. s, 1882
Mr.. Vice Consul Heating tells British
merchants that their goods are sought
after in Portland, and it is only their
modesty in not pushing tAs eass OF them
more actively thaS causes business to be
lost. he has put himself to the trouble
of going round to the different firms to
ascertain from the heads of departments
the exact position Of British goods on the
market. This is another example of we'll
directed energy, such as we had in the
action of MIR. Consul Bernal, in Brazil. a
short time ago, and to which we alluded
at the time. 1t is very gratifying to be
able to record these instances of indiyid-
ual zeal. We are quite sure the same
spirit animates the whole Consular ser
vice, and that wherever it lies within it's
power to assist British merchants in the
extension of trade. the assistance win al
ways be forthcoming.
The following are some of the goods
in demand ut Portland:
Dress Goods-Silk, wool and black dress
goods have a steady sale. The prices OBJ
tanned are good and profitable to the re-
tailers.
Irish Linen-Table damask, napkins,
towelling, art eInbroideries, etc., are very
much in demand, and when placed in
competition on the counters with goods
of German manufacture, ETC., are pre-
ferred to all Others.
Hosiery--English hosiery, is regarded
with great favor, and only needs pushing
to further increase the sale.
Commenting on the opening in Port
land for our exporting firms to do bust
ness, Vice Consul Heating oberves: ~
was assured by the proprietor of the
largest department store in the city that
the demand for goods of British manufac-
turei is increasing in proportion to his
general business. The senior partner of
another large firm suggested to me that
the sale of goods to retailers would be
much increased if British manufacturers
were directly represented by someone sell
ling exclusively British goods. He as
sured me that our manufacturers often
suffered in consequence of statesmen hav-
ing side lines on which they made
larger commission, and for which he was
able to give better terms to the retailer.
Still another assured me that the system
Of selling goods by personal solicitation
to the up. to-date merchant, and he sug
gested that the British manufacturers
should esta blish headquarters either in
New York or Boston, where full line
of goods would be displayed The mer-
chants could view the goods there at
time convenient to them, and thereby be
enabled to make quicker, larger and
more satisfactory purchases. The gentle.
man making tine latter suggestion stated
that he was aware that the large com
mission houses would give different
opinion on the subject, as viewed from
their standpoint; nevertheless he was
positive that his idea conceded with the
oft. expressed opinion Of his brother mer-
chants. Another informed me that sales
men would frequently approach mer-
chant in his busiest time and endeaVor
to push his goods. thereby causing un-
pleasant feeling which naturally reacts
On the MA ufacturer, The general opin-
ion of the merchants with whom con-
versed was that while great progress has
been made by domestic manufacturers
during the past few years, the public are
naturally depedent on the Mother Coun-
try for many of the most desirable arti,
Giles of trade, and that goods of British
manufacture which can, with the present
tariff, enter into Gqmpetition with domes-
tito egeeds willreadily find purchasers. -
It should also be noted that much
larger quantity OF goods would be sold
if our manufacturers would cease to imi-
tate the American and French ware, and
instead manufacture goods that are dis
tinotively English in style and decora'
I'll on 4ts