GERMAN TRADE WITH BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 35, 5 November 1919, Page 11

GERMAN TRADE WITH BRITAIN

<fA RATE-CUTTING WAR, From what is stated in toy trade circles it appears that actual orders for dolls have been piacsd in, Germany by one or two firms (states the "Morning Post"). Tho price to be paid for some ol the dolls is Gs. Sd. each, as against the British price of about 10s. The know, ledge that theso things are possible is having a very prejudicial effect on tho trade in this country. Dealers, of course, make their arrange, ments some months ahead, aud aro now considering their requirements for the Christmas trade. They are reported to be holding back their orders until they see how far ,tho removal of the import restrictions will affect prices. British manufacturers, as may be gathered from individual communications published in the current number of tho "Toyshop and | Fancy Goods Journal," aro alurnicd' at the situation. Unrestricted imports, they say, will lead to the displacement of British labour. A member of the Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers' Association stated, in an interview recently, that German manufacturers aro following up their touting circulars by sending to this country a flood of cutlery samples at dump prices equalling only half the British cost of manufacturing. For example, weavers' fivo-incli scissors, which cannot be mada in Sheffield under 9s. Gd, per dozen, are offered by the Germans at 4s. 9d. Samples have been received, he added, in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Glasgow, Sheffield, and Hull. A samplo in his possession is stamped "warranted forged steel," but bears no mark of origin. ; Among tho German letters that have come into the possession of the National Union of Manufacturers is this; "The terrible war being now over by Ojerniany having been compelled to sign such n. liumiluiting peace as tho German citizen never expected but deserved, I presume that the commercial intercourse between England and Germany will soon be taken up again. I therefore bog to take the first opportunity to offer you my services again for reviving a soum 1 business for yon in Germany." Anothor communication from the Fatherland "Now that after an interval of more titan five years correspondence, between England and Germany is allowed again, wo beg to drop you a lino asking you to lot us know how you aro personally, and if it will be convenient and apreeablo to you lo resumo with us our old good connections." "Exceedingly favourable offer for abroad on account of the low valuo of Germnn money!" is printed in large typo at the top of a prico list of a Nuremberg firm of,tool makers, Mr, Sidney ,C. Earner, addressing the shareholders of the Harper Piano Company recently, said that a fresh difficulty which confronted the company was the" withdrawal of the import restrictions. It might shortly lead to German pianos being sent to this country- at a nrico agninst which no manufacturer here could compete. No fair competition was feared" from Germany or any other country, but if pianos were going to be dumped from countries where the workmen were paid less than n. minimum of Is. lid. per hour, and where the rate of exchange was 75 per cent, below normal, then British manufacturers must protest, and keen on nrotesting, until the Government took steps to prevent this injustice, otherwise they would have to clo?o their works, and thousands of employees would be thrown out of employment.

The duties imposed by tho French Government on the importation of English lace mu\et the new fiscal arrangements formed the subject of protest at a meeting of'ken and embroidery manufacturers at Nottingham recently. Objection was also made to the present misleading system under which Nottingham lace is often sold in London and other shops as the product of French factories.