The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1921. SHAMMING POVERTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1921. SHAMMING POVERTY.

When the German delegation to discuss reparations payments were in London they were the guests of the nation, and were treated sumptuously, but in carrying out their usual wily ways they attempted to convey the impression that the people of Germany were so poor that they had become habituated to the very plainest fare, and it is said that some of these delegates actually expressed a wish for less elaborate dinners than those provided for them. Britain has had too long and bitter an experience of German methods to be deceived by such play-act-ing, and promptly discerned its object. The incident, -however, is merely a drop in the ocean of deception which is being practised by the Gtermans to escape payment of as much of the reparation claims as possible, but in face of the reports of the experts (British and foreign) who for some months made skilled investigations into Germany’s financial and industrial position, there can be no doubt that not only is there ample capital in the country, but that every effort is being made in all branches of industry to recover German trade superiority, turn out cheap goods* and compete against Bri-

tain. This is rendered possible by low wages and long hours of work. At the present rate of exchange the wages of the average German worker do not exceed from eighteen to twenty shillings a week. It is worthy of note that this low rate prevails although the wages have increased between five and seven times as compared with the pre-war standard, but the value of the mark has fallen from a shilling to (roughly) a penny, hence a German manufacturer, in competition with a British firm in the world’s markets, pays his hands about sevenpence for every two shillings or half-a-erown which his British rival has .to pay his people, and the Germans have to work far longer hours than the official eight. Workers throughout the British Empire should mark well the fact that German labor fully recognises that the only way for Germany to Win back her former place in the world is by recovering, in the first place, her industrial superiority. Britain’s only hope of succeeding against such competition is the avoidance of industrial troubles and by concentration on production. Just as all Germany is hard at work, so should all Britain be. The Germans are not Working to pay off their reparation liabilities: far from it; they are rehabilitating German trade as a means to German greatness, and it must not be forgotten that it was by trade the Germans got ready for the war which caused such terrible devastation’and losses for which they are called upon to pay, and to minimise which they are “shamming dead.” It is interesting to note what the experts have to say as to the evidence of German wealth. While Government officials are strenuously endeavoring to convey the impression that Germany is on the verge of bankruptcy, industry reduced to a shadow, and unemployment rampant, private industry employers and employees ridicule such wild talk, pointing out that since the war many industrial concerns have largely increased their capital and started' a very large export business, while the banks are keeping pace with-the swift upward trend, being more prosperous than ever and launching out into palatial establishments- It is considered by one .of the experts engaged on the inquiry into Germany’s position that the “shamming dead’ policy adopted by the Government of that country is the only expedient one that can help in the attempt to evade the Allies’ reparation demands. On this both the Social Democrats and Junkers are agreed. It is essential, they agree, to give the Allies the impression that Germany cannot possibly pay, thus hoping to modify the terms, sooner or later, in Germany’s favor, and this slick policy will be maintained to the end of the chapter. The Allies need have no scruples as to standing firm in their demands, and if necessary, applying the necessary pressure to obtain compliance therewith. Germany is able to pay, but prefers to keep her money for her own purposes, one of which is to do all the harm in her power to British trade.