BRITISH EXPORT TRADE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 48, 20 November 1920, Page 9

BRITISH EXPORT TRADE

THE VARIATION CLAUSE A GREAT OBSTACLE TO BUSINESS Br Tel«r»Bh--Pr«n Aisoclatlon.-GoDyrliV ißec. November 19, 10.30 p.m.) London, November 18. Mr. F. G. Keliewav, of the Board of Trade, speaking in Bedfordshire, stated that i(he great obstacle to tho British export'trade was the inclusion of a socalled variation clause. Instead of quoting a firm price and a definite date of delivery, manufacturers quoted in such a manner that the oversea buyer did' not know for a certainty when be would receive goods, and wliat ho would have lb pay. for.them.' Mr. Kelleway said lie was informed that this, was hampering. British' trade in all parts of the world almost) nioro than any .other cause, as quotations from Germany and other countries* were fixed. The variation clause particularly affected municipal contracts. . Mr. .Ke'.leway eaid be had received a complaint from Now Zealand that in one case of machinery sold- in tlie middle of 1919, delivery to take place in tJiree months, the machinery had not been delivered yet, and the manufacturers bad raised the price from ,£285 to X'3Bs. It could be seen that the agents of British firm? were badly handicapped when persuading their customers that they* were, receiving fair treatment! Nevertheless, tlio British export! trade was .in serious difficulty, while it faced with'uncertainty what labour would cost and the continual .possibility of strikes.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.