THE TRADE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 January 1920, Page 10

THE TRADE WAR.

GERMANY'S BID FOR POWER. FLOODING ALLIED MARKETS. I Los Angeles, Nov. 1 !>■ German-made goods will soon be flood-1 ing the markets of England, France and Italy, declared Mr. Frank B. Mayer, president of the Essenkay Products Company, who lias just returned to Chicago from a six weeks' business trip through those countries. That gentleman gives as his reasons the present value of the German mark, which is now worth about twopence or less, compared with the money of those other countries, the proximity of Germany to those other markets, and the fact that Germany is hard at work producing the goods needed in those countries.

"In Spain and Holland, and on the trains in France and Italy, 1' met Americans of German birth, with German connections, after the trade of those countries," said Mr. Mayer. -"They travelled as Americans, but they were selling Ger-man-made goods, and it is my belief that despite the horrors and cruelties perpetrated by Germany, she will eventually get back Europe's trade. Germany is now guaranteeing deliveries after January Ist. MARKETS DEPLETED.

"There is depletion of stocks everywhere. In England, France, Italy, Spain and Holland, department stores and other wholesale and retail establishments have no assortmeuts, and you have to take what you can get. The people are determined to buy, as they are here, and are paying the prices asked; profiteering is general; second-hand, worn-out American automobiles sell in London now for more than they cost here.

POST-WAR HARDSHIPS. "There is no sugar in France or England, and saccharine is used entirely. England has been on war rations since the railway strike was called. These apply to fuel, light and heat, as well as food, and everything is checked off by meter. If you have used up your allowance of gas, electricity or heat by the twenty-fifth of the month, you will have to go without until the new allowance is granted on the first of nest month. As a result of the food shortage of England, there has grown up the idea of community kitchens, where the food for every meal of the family can be purchased, packed in baskets, ready to be carried to the homes and warmed up. AMERICA DISLIKED,

According to Mr. Mayer, he found little evidence of great love and admiration for America in the countries he visited. The feeling is expressed quite freely, he said, that the American capitalists are to blame for the depreciation of the franc, pound and lira.

Germany is not experiencing strikes and labor disturbances, he added, while in Italy, England and France industries are more or less upset. In Italy, he says, there are 400.000 men idle, discontent is outspoken, and it would not take much to start a revolution. Unrest is also prevalent in France owing- to scarcity of food and the depreciation of the franc.