HUN TRADING METHODS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 297, 13 December 1917, Page 5

HUN TRADING METHODS.

A BRITISH LEVER (Received 9.10 a.m.). LONDON, December 12. In the House of .Commons, the Xbnferrous Metals Bill was read a second time by 182 votes to 79. Mr Walter Runeiman (ex-President of the Board of Trade) declared the bill unworthy of the British nation. The Government should also consider how far it conflicted witU President Wilson's economic policy. Mr Bonar Law said the bill was based on the Paris Conference resolutions. He denied that it would interfere to any extent with trade., and reiterated that ■we must stop German penetration. It was essential to let our • enemies know that we realised the powers we had, and when the time came should not hesitate to use them. It was perfectly plain that many members of the House thought it would be the right thing- after the war to deal with Germany precisely as in the past. (Cries of "Never.") Mr Bonar Law added that the bill really raised an issue of policy. Members had to decide whether they meant to make a change in their relations with Germany after the jiwar.— (A. and 2ST.Z. Cable.) I The bill provides that it shall be unlawful for any company, firm, or individual to carry on the business of extracting , , smelting, dressing, refining, or the wholesale trading in metals or metallic ores to which the Act applied, except under license. The license will be rescinded if.it is later proved that a fifth of the capital directly or indirectly belonged to a German syndicate. The Board- of Trade is empowered to require certain information and inspect books. The bill remains in operation for five years after the war. It was not drafted in the interests of traders, said Sir Arthur Stanley' in introducing the bill, but was designed in national interests. Ever since the Paris Economic ConferI ence the Government had been in consultation with the Dominions and the French Government for the purpose of giving practical effect to the conference's resolutions, and imposing upon Allied Governments the duty of. making their countries independent. of their enemies in regard to essential commodities. We had succeeded, owing to the war, in freeing ourselves from Germany's strangle-hold. It was" necessary to , prevent ■ German interests from ever again obtaining- the death grasp upon vital industries -which the control of metals before the war gave them, particularly in regard to spelter, lead, copper, aluminium, and tin. Owing to this German dominance we suffered great embarrassment at the outbreak of war.