Skegness Magazine

THE ” BUY BRITISH ” VAN ARRIVES TODAY

Parade for Promotion of Patriotic Purchase (1935)

A strong plea for the increased use of Home and Empire products will be made in Skegness to-day (Wednesday), when the “Buy British” electric slogan display van, which is now on its second tour of Great Britain, will visit the resort and parade the principal thoroughfares.

This Skegness visit has been arranged by Mr. H. L. Underwood, of 146 Fleet Street, London, the organiser of the “Buy British” parade, who has enlisted the co-operation of the ‘*Skegness News” in the local display.
Wherever it goes (and the task it is now engaged upon is a lengthy tour of the provincial cities and towns) this wonderful vehicle is a magnet which draws all eyes.
Constructed for its ambitious project by Touring Electric Signs, Ltd, and equipped with nearly 3,000 Cosmos lamps, the van is in reality a miniature mobile power station. By means of the huge electric signs which form its sides, it flashes in letters of brilliant light its staccato exhortations and messages, one moment urging preference for British goods in general—the next reminding the public of the excellence of this or that well-known British-made commodity.

PUBLICITY WITH A PUNCH
The general effect is that of a display of the prize-winning efforts in a competition for the construction of effective and telling slogans—”Publicity with a punch” as it is called.
The whole of the cost of this impressive
“Buy British” demonstration is borne by British firms and concerns of national reputation, prominent amongst them being: New Zealand Dairy Board (Butter and cheese); Darer, Ltd. (bread and buscuits); Metropolitan-Vickers Electric Co., Ltd. (Cosmos Lamps); Neave’s Food, Ltd.; A. Wander, Ltd. (Ovaltine); Tyne Brand Herrings and Pastes; Nestle’s Milk Company; New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board; Seager*s Gin; Waltonian Shoe Polishes; and Holbrook’s Sauce.
The “News” heartily endorses a phrase broadcast from the van: “BRITISH MADE—BEST FOR YOU—BEST FOR TRADE.”
BUY EMPIRE GOODS BRITISH MADE and EMPIRE CROWN – BUY BRITISH!