ENEMY TRADE
SOME MORE PROPAGANDA IMPUDENT AUSTRIAN METHODS USE OF WELLINGTON HOUSES Enemy trade propaganda is still proceedingin New Zen land. An interest ng example is a publication called ''{lie World Market," described in its own headlines as "the official l.rade journal of the Central and foreign States." It is in the form of a newspaper of eight pnges, nnd an interesting feature is its claim to have representatives in the larger towns of New Zealand. Tho November number < f "The Wc-rld Market," which is published in Vienna, announces on its first page that "all those who have any human feeling. ;>i,d wish to forget race-hatred and. distinction, may contribute to help the poor prisoners'of war in terrible Siberia." It invites its readers to remember that "the ideal of life is to have every family member round the Christmas tree." All money suliscriptions are to be sent to the president of the "Club of ihe East in Central Europe," Vienna, IV, Alleegnsse i. Then follows the folloving announcement:—"Arrangements are made by our Finance Department, whereas the following firms will receive, for i.nd on our behalf any subscription for the Prisoner of War li'elief Department and also tho Vienna Christmas Aid Department." The list of firms is a very long one, and includi-s five firms each in Wellington, Auckland, and Christchnrch, and four firms in Dunedin.
The collection of funds for distressed war prisoners might seem harmless enough. But a little examination of the pages of "The World Market" makes it. clear that this proposal is merely a bait. Most of the articles in the Issue are trade propaganda pure and simple. The "Clu'b of the East," whose president is to receive the subscriptions for war prisoners, is intended to "rearrange trade matters between German-Austria aid the new-founded National States and the East." It will attempt to "'revive former connections and to renaiii the lost influence in the East." . A description of the work of the club is introduced in the following terms:— "Tho war and its end, the peace of St. Germain, have given us the great task of saving what there is to bo saved still out of a. fearful chaos by a hard and busy work. Great endeavours ore made by the Govermw.nt as veil as. by the individual to cut that Gordian knot, but the principal thing is to connect all those who want to reach the same aim, and who have identical wishes and feelings. Therefore organisations and clubs are formed also m this place in older to watch over tho interests of tho public ami to tato caro of tho welfaro of the individual." Then there is an appeal on lwhnlf of the people of Vienna. "Could any Englishman or American, who l.as had the pleasure of being among the innocent, good-nnhired people of Vienna, s,eo lliwn suffer 60 terribly ffter t've years of starvation, aiid so to further their absolute demoralisation, ivjlieii only a ■email contribution, if not by money, but bv their influence, might bring relief?" asks the editor. "What Vienna reqnres is coal and food. They don't wish to beg for it, but they are willing to work, if their industry is capitalised and reestablished. It is terrible to think that there exist nations who isolate Austria by inhuman cruelty and cut off all intercourse by making their money (legal tender of oxchange) valueless and preventing them from tho necessities of life abroad." Headers of tho paper are asked to use their influence on behalf of Vienna ir their own districts and to "forget the past and help U'o future." A lengthy article deals with a trado fair about'to bo held in Vienna. This fair "will to a certain extent have to be shaped after tho Lcipzic Fair, but a slavish imitation is neither intended nor would it answer tho purpose in view." Tho Lcipzic Fair, as most peoplo know, is the great trading centre for the marketing of German goods. Then follow invitations to Englishmen and Americans to invest money in Austrian industries. The advantage of making investments while the Tato of exchange is highly favourable to tho Allied conn-, tries is pointed out. Yesterday a Dominion- reporter mado inquiries among the Wellington firms which, according to this Austrian pub--1 lieation, are ready to accept subscriptions on behalf of an Austrian trading organisation. Ono of the firms mentioned could' not be traced. _ The remaining four firms knew nothing of the matter, had never seen tho publication and denied indignantly that they had auv connection at. all with tho Uub of "tho East." Their names had been used without their consent or knowIt may be assumed that the other New Zealand firms mentioned in tho list arc in the same position. ft is interesting to notice that tho president of tho "Club of the East" is an ex-oflicer of the Austrian Navy. iho trade journal from which these extracts have been made claims to have.branches in London, San Francisco, Chicago, Warsaw, Cracow, Trieste. Berlin, and many other cities. Berlin occupies a modest place towards the end of the list. The list of firms allegedly willing to receive' subscriptions covers South America India, China, Japan, Persia, Australia, New Zealand, and other counIt appears to have been compiled by n person whose acquaintance with the geography of Australasia, at any'. Tate was defective. For example, Fiji and Hawaii are classified under Australia and Now Zealand," and lirisbano is placed in South Australia. A town called "Oarnura" is faintly recognisable as Oaraaru.
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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 111, 4 February 1920, Page 8
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917ENEMY TRADE Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 111, 4 February 1920, Page 8
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