" MADE IN GERMANY."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 80, 26 August 1914, Page 4

" MADE IN GERMANY."

One of tlin immediate effects of the war against Germany i.-. the rapid growth of antipathy, both in the Homeland and the Dominions, to purchasing goods "made in Germany." So much is this feeling ill evidence that shopkeepers either refrain from offering such goods, or do so with an apology. In the past the Germans have strained every nervii to capture trade in Britain and in the Dominions, and with considerable success. Their methods were often more ingenious than ingenuous. For illstance, a representative of a German manufacturing firm would enter a geilcral store, and by dint of a series cf diplomatic questions find out the most-icugbt-for articles in which .his linn

deals, together with prices. He then purchases samples of such wares as oa 1 considers can be placed on the market at & profit after being "made in Germany," and forwards these to headquarters, so that replicas may be turned out m large quantities and sold at prices considerably below those charged for Bntad, goods. This form of enterprise has opened up a vast trade the extent of which few people realise. In lap W Zealand's, purchases from Germany : ue .alued at £fi.53,230, and amongst the goods included in these figures were: lianos and musical instruments £fi8,822; fancy goodS) to} ~' £•>1,541; and c]over machinery, £41,134; motors j lorn* \ £ ? 1,57,5; drug3 ' bottles and glassware, £21,565. In re- • turn we exported to Germany goods valued at £254,703, greasy Z, £206,000, being tho principal item. In Australia, the volume of trade with Germany is much larger. Thc Commonwealth imported German goods in lfll* valued at £7,441,246, and exported goods worth £5,134,594, and gold to th, amount of £401,459. It is evident from these figures that Germany has been getting by far the best of the deal, for she has been obtaining from New Zealand and Australia chiefly raw materia], of which she has obtained all the benefit of manufacture and re-export. So far as wool is concerned, if Germany requires it for her manufactures shewii! still have to obtain it from Australasia directly or indirectly, whether she sells her goods in return or not. It will be seen, therefore, that the war, from an economic point of view, will cripple Germany, industrially, at all events, for many years to come. The point that all British people should now seriously consider is whether the time is now propitious fpr the exercise of that practical patriotism which will foster British industrial development and deprive Germany of the financial assistance enabling her to become a menace to the peace of Europe. In the past there has been far too little pride of country among Britishers, and German goods have found a ready sale, but the time for this policy has passed, and a new "self-contained" policy should henceforth be adopted.y Prance has already set a good example in this direction by transfering orders for goods from Germany to Britain, and surely all right-minded sons of the Empire should outvie France in this direction. It was recently stated in the press i that tlie British Colonial Office had an- J lioimced its intention to hold an exhibi- 1 tion of goods of colonial requirements ! at an early date, so that British manii- i facturers can fill thc orders previously I sent to Germany, thereby indicating the j boom we may expect in trade and commerce after the war is over, and the commercial fleet of Germany swept from the seas. There is a duty which .'ill loyal subjects owe to the Empire, namely, that they should refrain from giving any support to our enemy. By purciias- ') ing only British-made goods, they will J strengthen the power of the Motherland, I and afford the much-needed employ- j ment for those engaged in industrial j manufactures, besides keeping the money I in the Empire. It is to be hoped that this policy will be universally adopted, and there is no question that it will tend to the strengthening of British trade and prove a potent factor in upholding tho good name and fame of the land we all love. j