BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1925, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. IABI.K ASSOCIATION ANGLO-GERMAN TRADE. HAMBURG. Feh. 10. Lord D’Abernon supporting a scheme for the formation of a British Cham- . her of Commerce here said: “l am convinced that we are entering an epoch in which Anglo-German trade may exceed all past records to the advantage to l>otli conn tries. The ; egulation of this trade cannot, be left to the uncertain arbitrament of the most favoured nation clause.” He suggested that Anglo-German trade associations should he based on absolute equality and reciprocity, the removal of every unnecessary obstacle to trade, the recognition that, there were many articles which the two countries could produce better jointly than separately, and lastly co-operate trading wherever possible. BERLIN, Feh. 11. Lord D’Abernon, in a speech at. a. L v_. banquet at the opening of the British Hoard of Commerce at Hamburg, at which prominent Anglo-German merchants, the Burgomaster and Consular officials were present, referred to the * danger to England of German competition. He said there must he absolute equality of reciprocal treatment between the two countries. The negotiators of the Anglo-German Treaty agreed the liberal tariff and customs duty accorded to German goods by England should he reciprocated by Germany, whilst the arbitrary regime of prohibitions and licenses should he abolished. Jt, was realised that if Europe were to prosper, the conditions of production and exchange must'he such as woukl rentier competition possible with toe .V" vast customs union area of the l nifed States. Lord D’Abenion was convinced that if the stipulations of the AngloGerman Agreement were carried nil m good faith, Anglo-German trade would exceed past records, which would be to their mutual advantage, ft was in these circumstances that the British Board of Commerce in Hamburg came into existence, and he felt sure it would render service to both countries.

GERMAN FINANCIAL SCANDALS, iGoceived this tlay nt 9.25 a.in.) LEU LIN, Dec. IV. The question of the payment h.v the Government to the Ruhr industrinlists during the period of isolation is attracting considerable attention in Germany, along with other financial scandals'. A memorandum submitted to the Reichstag by the Government points out these payments were in the nature of compensation to certain industrial, firms in the Ruhr and other occupied territories on account ol deliveries in kind made by them to the Mi cum or Inter-Allied Commission of Control of works and mines, on the cessation of passive resistance. the memorandum denies the press allegations that seven hundred million Reichmarks were repaid in December, and says the agreement for immediate payment provided for a reduction or debts hy over two hundred million •Reichmarks and out of 220 million Reichmarks paid in December only cue half was cash. . The Government has decided tor .famous of economy, to pay the balance and now asks the Reichstag to sanction the payments already made. EMPIRE PRODUCTS CAMPAIGN. [“The Times” Service.] (Received tnis dav at 9.25 a.m I LONDON, Dec. IV. The ‘‘Times” states that _ arrangements are being made in various parts of the country to stimulate interest in Empire products. The Grocers’ Association is planning a series of Empire shopping weeks, the object of the campaign being to supplement Wembley s lesson b.V bringing home to all classes the Empire’s resources. 0 LONDON, Feb. !.. \ scheme is maturing in London to form an Empire Fruit Corporation to organise more effective marketing and restrict foreign competition. It is learned the provisional committee. repiesenting the principal Empire mf-rest*. including Australasian, who have areadv joined the Corporation, bine consigned direct to their nun They also make advances r to growers, and by elimination of tit brokers and speculators they are * ■- ino economies, hut otherwise aic using ordinary trade channels.

ST. PAUL’S. THE EXPERTS’ REPORT (Received this day at 9.25 i.m.) LONDON, Feb. 17. The committee of experts on the preservation of St. Paul’s have submitted their report to the Dean .and \ ostry stating that no settlement ol the foundations are at present taking place, hut micrometer tests disclosed the progressive widening of cracks m the drum supporting the dome, thus -(•ovine a horizontal increase in the circumference of the whole dome struc- ;“ to correct which the experts recommend a system of metal hbop'r.g. The rebuilding of the piers would he attended by the gravest risk. I he. experts are still convinced that grouting the piers is the heat method as experiments have proved the success thereof The piers should Ik reinfored with metal rods and should he temporarily enSsed in steel atVd timber during the process. M