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closed. This necessitated a change in tactics at the Fair, and every endeavour was made to take as many particulars as possible from potential buyers, so that the literature could be forwarded at a later date with the minimum of delay. Enquiries were received from buyers trading in the following areas in addition to the U. K.:
Ireland, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark,
Sweden, Switzerland, Portugal, South Africa,
Nigeria, Trinidad, Egypt, Gibraltar, Malta,
Ceylon, Iran, Jamaica, India, Burma, and New York.
On Tuesday, May 4th, Their Majesties the King and Queen, Queen Mary and Princess Margaret, and Mr. Harold Wilson '(President of the Board of Trade) visited the Commonwealth and Empire Section. Her Majesty the Queen stopped for ten minutes at the Hong Kong stall and talked to the Representatives of the Hong Kong Manufacturers' Union. Her Majesty the Queen showed particular interest in the ginger exhibited by the Ginger Association.
7. As the Fair proceeded some of the more obvious omissions in our Organisa- tion became apparent. It was unfortunate that the booking of orders on the spot could not in many cases be undertaken. The ticketing and pricing of goods had, owing to the rush with which the exhibits had been despatched, been sketchy and inadequate. This was aggravated by the fact that most of the literature, catalogues, and Price Lists did not, for reasons stated in Para 6 above, arrive in time for the Fair. Price Lists were prepared as far as possible from invoices, but on the price along there was throughout much room for improved organisation. Again, such prices as were identifiable were marked f.o.b. Hong Kong, whereas buyers were more interested in c.i.f. costs for East and West Africa, the Continent and the Levant. Buyers were generally more interested in delivery dates rather than prices in order to take full advantage of the scarcity markets existing overseas. It is the opinion of competent observers at the Fair that if no more than a tithe of the enquiries materialise as firm orders, it will put a heavy strain on local factories to meet this additional production especially in the hardware lines. Moreover, the Representatives were not authorised to make counter-offers on behalf of the manufacturers who were exhibiting, and the best that could be done in the circumstances was to put buyers in touch with the Hong Kong Factories. There is ample evidence that many of these enquiries have been followed up and that local factories are indeed being able to accept firm orders for the goods which were displayed on the stall. In general enquirers were constantly expressing amazement at the variety of manufactured goods which were available in Hong Kong. In some cases, however, dissatisfaction was expressed with the prices which were too high and it cannot be over-emphasized that local manufacturers will have to meet increasing competition next year when the price factor will play a more important role than it did this year.
8. Observers on the spot have recorded the following opinions of the various manufactures which were exhibited. Needles, wood screws and buttons attracted a lot of attention and owing to the world shortages delivery dates of these items were of more importance than prices which were generally considered satisfactory. Hurricane lanterns attracted attention from Africa and the Continent, but charcoal irons were not much in demand. Silk goods invited a number of enquiries but the main difficulty here will probably be the necessity of obtaining Import Licences into the countries of destination. Vacuum flasks and flashlights were much in evidence but there was some criticism of prices with regard to the smaller sizes. Rubber footwear was sought by Scandinavian and other Continental countries, and some business may be expected in these lines. Toilet Soap attracted enquiries but the general comment seemed to be that the price was too high. Canned foods were in demand from countries with Chinese populations, while paints were stated to be too expensive. Ginger was a most attractive exhibit and there is little doubt that the Fair was a means of introducing this product to continental countries and the United Kingdom who had tended to neglect it since the war. It was thought that some trade should materialise in knitted goods and piecegoods but prices must be lowered in future if markets are to be held.
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