ENGLAND'S LOST CHANCES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 69, 22 March 1910, Page 4

ENGLAND'S LOST CHANCES.

Now that Germany and Canada have effected some sort of compromise about their fiscal polk it is clear that the Germans are anxious to make every possible use of the advantages that they have secured. The settlement is in many ways a triumph for Canada. For, in the first place, Germany has abandoned entirely her old contention that Canada must extend to her the preferential advantages offered to England; second!)', Germany is merely admitted to the Canadian general tariff, and not to the special tariff, thereby avoiding any dispute with Washington. On these conditions Canada has remitted the surtax, equal to one- third of ordinary duties that she had imposed on German imports in response to Germany's levy on Canadian goods; and Germany, in return, reverts to the ordinary tariff on Canadian imports, including grain, timber, cattle and meat. But Germany evidently .believes that she has at last forced the door of the Canadian market, for she has decided to establish a new Consulate-General at Ottawa, and she is sending over commercial agents and commissioners in large numbers to make the best of this unexpected opportunity. We note with interest this new development of Germany's commercial activity in the Dominion, because it contrasts so strongly with the supineness displayed by —--gland towards her colonial markets. A few weeks ago a letter appeared in the "Times" from the Canadian Deputy-Minister oi Trade and Commence, emphasizing the need of special | efforts on the part of England to extend the British trade connection with Canada. Four years ago the British Board of Trade appointed a Trade Commissioner to Canada, and he in turn appointed a ruber of correspondents throughout ■ the Dominion for tbe purpose of assisting British exporters to get a share in the Canadian market. But this was a (very inadequate provision for England's [commercial needs; and the Canadian I Minister points out that' there are at least 200 American consular agents constantly keeping the Dominion in touch, with the United States. Now, Germany is doing her best to secure a foothold in the Canadian market's, and England is standing by, apparently unable to realise the greatness of her opportunity or the dinger of losing it once and for ever. j A curious illustration of the conservatism I and lack of enterprise displayed by the average British commercial man is cited by the Canadian Minis One of the I largest electrical companies in Canada sent an order to a London firm for sample , goods to the value of 28/. The London I firm refused to supply the order because no draft accompanied it; and the order was delayed for three weeks, and a valuable trade connection was lost for the sake of this paltry sum and the fanatical adherence to office routine that seems to ! characterise* the ordinary English business man. If this is the way in which I England's commercial relations wibh her | own colonies are conducted, no wonder she is losing ground in the markets of : the world.