REPARATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 March 1921, Page 5

REPARATIONS.

INFLUENCE OF THE BILL. A SETBACK TO TRADE. GERMANY EVADING PAYMENT, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received March 18, 1.15 a.m. London, March 16. The optimism resulting from the recovery of trade received a decided setback from the early effects of the Reparations Bill. All markets are dull, the iron industry being especially lifeless. Undoubt- ! tdly the Bill’s first effect was a boomer- | ang-like smack, and general trade pro- j tests are reaching the Government from I merchants throughout the country. Their arguments are that the German •Government will never co-operate in paying fifty per cent; secondly, it is . bound to result in increa/sed prices re- ’ bounding on the purchaser; thirdly, it yrill drive' Germany to seek supplies from English rivals. Labor leaders, whilst admitting the difficulty of framing an alternative Scheme to make Germany pay 1 , roundly the Premier’s proposals as sure to result in a heavy increase of unemployment. Germany’s intention to evade payment is already manifest. Amongst the newest devices disclosed is an intimation sent to British merchants from Germany stating that fifty per gent must be added to the prices quotd, while other communications peremptorily rupture business deals. Meanwhile. Mr. Austin Chamberlain |the Chancellor) urges patience to see tow the scheme works, declaring that ihe Treasury is confident payments will J»e ccflecied on forty per cent of Germany’s export trade. The Leipzig Fair, which has already te-established its pre-eminence amongst European commercial jnen, has been brought to a sudden stop owing to the Germans’ refusal to ship goods to Allied countries unless the full value is brevidusly paid. Another instance of pvasion was quoted by Mr. Asquith in Jhe House of Commons. He said English booksellers had been notified that ko further supplies would be shipped tmless large accounts were opened in Germany. Yorkshire wool merchants are dismayed, foreseeing an accentuation of Jhe slump, which is already severely effecting textiles. Belgium expects a Aversion of trade from Antwerp, whilst Holland emphatically protested, fearing that the establishment of Allied offices Hong the German frontier will deflect Jrade from Amsterdam. The Times says the scheme has Zhmst a stick into the complicated *nechanism of commerce and manufacturers, warehousemen, merchants, and banks are eyeing it askance. The opinion is that the scheme at the worst will bring a cessation of German imports ind at the best will so hamper imports feat their volume will be reduced and Sriees raised. —‘United Service. THE REPARATION’S BILL. ATTEMPT AT DELAY FAILS. Received March 17, 10.55 p.m. London, March 16. In the House of Commons, at the committee stage of the Reparations Bill. £he Opposition unsuccessfully tried to tnake the Bill not come into force until kvery Power signing the Treaty of Versailles had carried out the same scheme. Mr. Austin Chamberlain (Chancellor If the Exchequer) pointed out that this jras equivalent to saying the scheme iyould not be enforced at all. Mr. Kenworthy then moved that importers make no payment until the kgislatures of France, Italy and Belgium agreed to the scheme. The amendment was defeated by 218 frotes to 70.—Aufe.-N.Z. Cable Assn, ALLTES* FIRM ATTITUDE. TO MR. LLOYD GEORGE. Received March 17, 1020 p.m. Paris, March 16. M. Briand, in the Chamber, justifying the London agreement, paid a high tribute to Mr. Uoyd George, which had a remarkable reception among Deputies, rousing cheers being given again and again. M. Briand said Mr. Lloyd George, With great broadness of vision, kept the future in view and rendered France B signal service. He added that GerSnany will find the resources to pay when she realises that the Allies are Standing firm and united.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. APPEALS TO LEAGUE. REQUEST FOR MEDIATION. Received March 17, 5.5.p.m. Berlin, March 16. Germany’s protest to the League of Rations contends that according to the treaty economic sanctions are inflictable only in the event of non-compliance with the reparations obligations, wherebs there have been no infringements. •The Government requests the League to initiate mediation proceedings and to fcee that the Allies’ forcible measures jire immediately stopped. —'Reuter Serfrice.