GERMAN BOORISHNESS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1723, 9 June 1917, Page 4

GERMAN BOORISHNESS.

A typical instance of German boorislmess Ims recently Ijeen related in Canada. At the time when Canada introduced a preferential tariff, Germany insisted upon sharing in the British preferential rates of the Canadian tariff. Canada refused. German. reprisals followed, and then Canadian counter-repri-sals. and in (he end Germany surrendered, and a reciprocal tariff adjustment look place. Canada thereupon sent a special trade commissioner lo take up his residence in Germany, and there to look after the commercial interests of Canada, as German interests were being looked after by the German Consuls in Canada. The Canadian oflicial was required to present himself to the police for registration, which he did. Presently, after he had taken an ydlice in one of Berlin's leading streets, he was presented with a form, and required, within such and such a time, to make a return of his property and income for the purpose of taxation. The Canadian Commissioner replied in substance that, inasmuch as his position was analogous to that of a consul, he hoped that the same courtesy would be extended to him as was enjoyed by the German consuls in Canada. The Germans replied that he was not a consul, and that he must declare his income for taxation. A number of communications passed, in which the Canadian Commissioner was at pains to point out his inability to comply with t ho German demand ukliom the sanction and instructions of hi- Govern mem, ami aNo ilia' to i.ivn.-mil ihe German demand to his Government wmld produce an unpleasant iniI prcs.-ion, and. (end m some moa-urc j'o undo iiu work of reconciliation i -c happily begun. The Germans remained obdurate. .Kin ally, the Canadian Commissioner informed them that be refused to make any return unless and until instructed by his Government, and that if any attempt were made to assess him and to collect the tax by force, as they had threatened, be would close the office and leave (he Empire. This was in effect an ultimatum. In tlie sequel the Germans ungracefully retreated, and without a line of regret or apology informed the commissioner that it would not ho necessary for him to make a return of his income.