GERMAN COMPETITION AFTER THE WAR.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 7 August 1916, Page 6

GERMAN COMPETITION AFTER THE WAR.

According to the American writer, ■we are likely to get a competition from Germany after the war of a kind Ave have not experienced before, as factories there are stated tp be organising upon a quantity production basis, on American lines. But. in this direction I learn that our producers are not asleep, and that more than one British factory is figuring on single-model quantity prospect propositions, in which they will bring into utilisation much of their munition work automatic machinery after the war, so that it is clear the Teutons will not get it all their own way. .Speaking generally, whilst competition amongst all the nations for the world's trade will undoubtedly be severe, in the automobile trade as elsewhere, I do not think British manufacturers are likely to suffer much, because the balance-sheets show that most of them have been making substantial and. in many cases, very large profits, which, will leave them at the termination of hostilities in a far stronger financial position than before, in spit e of the taxation of profits, aiirl it will be a position in which strong finances and strong handling of thosa finances will win the day. For a year or two after the Avar, demand is bound to be great, although the nature of the demand may be different to that experienced before the Avar; but I have no doubt that, when the commercial war begins, British manufacturers will get their shar e of what is going, if they trust to their OAvn efforts and not rely too much upon Government assistance, and if they recognise the way the cat will jump and follow it.