TRADE IN ENGLAND.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4521, 31 January 1923, Page 4

TRADE IN ENGLAND.

NEW ZEALANDER’S IMPRESSIONS. CHEAP MONEY. ‘Money in England is absolutely cheap,” said Mir C. F. Russell, of Palmerston North, on his return from a trip to the Old Country. “Do you know,” he continued, “that big business firms are obtaining money at 2 per cent. ? This is' hard to dredit, I know, but it is, nevertheless, a fact, and heads of big firms told nie that they could get money for business purposes at this low rate of interest. Here in New Zealand, I suppose, you could not get mbney at. less than 5 to 6 per cent.” How do you account far this cheapness' of money ? “Britain’s credit and national honour stand higher to-day than ever before—that is the reason.” GERMAN IMPORTATIONS. Mr Russell then touched on tlhe question of German importations into England, and exhibited to the repooter a number of German manufactured articles that were on sale in England. Included in the collection was a hol-low-ground razor, with solid case, which is being retailed in England at Is 6d, a pair of manicure scissors, a glass-cutter, a'nd a pocket-knife, none of which cost more than one shilling retail. “I took these articles to Birmingham and showed them to some of the manufacturers there,” said Mr Russell, “but .they told me point-blank that they simply could not make them at the price. We are very keen in New Zealand in protecting British industries by prohibiting Germap importations, but the pity of it. is that England is not helping herself, and is importing German goods on a big scale.” In conclusion, Mr Russeil said that he came back convinced that, in spite of her many troubles, Britain and tlhe British working man were absolutely sound at heart. “I am, however, very pleased to be home again, for, alfter all, there is no place like New Zealand.”