MADE IN GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2720, 15 March 1916, Page 4

MADE IN GERMANY

*■ The difficulties in the way of preventing goods made in Germany from coming into this country under the guise of goods made in neutral countries is well illust-ated by a case which has been brought' under our notice by the Mayor' of Waipukurau, Mk. J. Winlove. He has forwarded to us» a box containing three spark plugs. The box bears the wording in two places, "The Rajah, made in U.S.A." It also warns the public to beware of imitation porcelains sold to fit Rajah plugs; and states that "genuine 'Rajah' porcelains are lettered 'Rajah' in red, and are the best imported porcelains obtainable." The italics are our own. Imported: Where' from 1 Within the larger box are a number of smaller boxes, each of which bears the words "Made in U.S.A." Also a warning that the Rajah spark plug is sold only under the express condition that no porcelain bushing or shell, except those sold by the "Rajah" Auto Supply Ooy., of New York, shall bo substituted or sold for substitution, in the same. It will be noted that this imported porcelain is treated as a special feature of tho plugs. The purchaser of these articles would naturally conclude from tho labels on tho boxes that they are made in tho United States. Parts of them_ possibly are, but the porcelaJins which bear tho "Rajah" brand, or at least those of them that have come into our possession through the Mayor of Waipukurau, certainly are not. There is nothing outwardly visible to suggest that they were manufactured in Germany, but concealed under a firmly attached brass cap at one end of tho porcelain are tho words in red letters "Made in Germany." N.o one would be likely to see this label unless by accident or out of curiosity this covering cap should be violently removed. The matter deserves the attention of the Government authorities. If ihey do not already know of this particular instance in which a German-made article has been finding its way into tho country wo shall be pleased to show them tho plugs in our possession, and the manner in which the German brand is concealed.- The task of detection is not always easy, and-to a largo 1 extent the Government officials must rely on the assistance of the public who purchase the. articles. The example'set by the Mayor of Waipukurau, Mr. Winlove, might well be copied by all who are anxicfiis to serve their country and the Empire by striking a blow at the efforts which are being made to foist enemy goods upon the people v of this Dominion,