DIAMOND INDUSTRY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 176, 21 June 1940, Page 6

DIAMOND INDUSTRY

TRANSFERRED FROM HOLLAND TO LONDON AFTER INVASION TRADE WORTH MILLIONS London. Although Hatton Garden has long claimed to be independent of Belgium and Holland in diamond-cut-ting for industrial purposes, tilluxury diamond trade has alAA r ays centred in the Low Countries. This industry has noAV migrated to Britain almost en masse, bringing Avitli it both stocks and craftsmen. Thus, Hitler has probably cut oIT his' own vital supply of diamonds for machine needs, because his selfextended blockade makes impossible further shipments via America. Dutch and Belgian firms long ago foresaw their peril and had stocks of gems Avorth millions of pounds packed in suitcases and whisked across the Channel overnight Avhen the Germans came. London, hitherto almost the sole market for rough stone, Avill now, perhaps, become the permanent home of an industry in which Belgium and Holland often turned over £20/)00.000 a year. One leader of the Dutch industry was not so lucky as his compatriots, as he was in London Avhen the invasion occurred. He now wonders Avhether the Germans will the combination to open his safe in Amsterdam, in which die left £;>OO,000 worth of gems. He holds the master • key to the safe here.