THE BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR.
THE first question that the lay visitor to the Fair at the CLyt4talt Palace will ask himself is—Why is the Fair only open to " genuine buyers " and not to the public ? Of course the Fair is for the promotion of commerce, but could not the public be allowed in sometimes ? We suggest that they should be admitted, not only because they would be very much amused, not only because they would like to see some of the curious, beautiful, or useful things that are made in Britain, but primarily because we distrust the discrimination of those " genuine buyers." The wholesaler and the man for whom he makes his goods never come in contact. They see each other only through the occasionally opaque medium of the commercial traveller. If they met face to face, we are optimistic enough to believe they would effect an eclairciasement on several points. Surely the hideous picture and Christmas cards, the abomina- ions in glass, the atrocities in gilded and scrolled china, the monstrosities in silver that are to be seen festooned upon some of the stalls at the Crystal Palace are the result of a misunder- standing.
It is interesting to note to which among the industries repre- sented the new creed of careful design, bright colour, and clever exploitation of the peculiarities of material has penetrated. Among the most progressive is certainly the toy trade, and here the somi-philanthropic " industry " seems to be rapidly out- stripping commercial enterprise, though a few commercial firms
show charming, carefully thought out toys. But dolls' houses were a very great disappointment. The present writer did not see one whose " architecture " was not abominably bad. Many things designed for the use of women—umbrellas, handbags, hair ornaments, and so forth—are also most charming in oolour and form. Our ceramics and " fancy stationery " are appal- lingly bad for the most part. Things of utility—office furniture, scrubbing-brushes, trunks, typewriters, children's scooters—all testify to our mechanical ability, and are agreeable to see because well made. -
We believe that this Fair is to be held annually, and we shall hope to see an increase among some admirable " sheep " and a decrease in the emphatically detestable " goats." It will be interesting to trace in this Fair the progress of the present dawn of a renaissance in the lesser arts. Possibly the good offices of the Design and Industries Association may contribute to that progress. 1920 should be farther from 1851 than it is.
BnoNDANw.
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