"MADE IN HOLLAND"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2683, 1 February 1916, Page 6

"MADE IN HOLLAND"

GLOVE TRADE TRICK EXPOSED. The London "Standard" o???ovember 4 says: In 1914 we_ imported 2,500,000 dozen pairs of fabric gloves from Germany ; from all other sources we took 10,000 pairs. _ In such circumstances it is not_ surprising to learn that Germany is desirous of retaining as much of this trade as possible. How, in part, her object is achieved was disclosed by Mr. F. Berliner at a meeting of the textile trade section of tho London Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Lately, he said, there had been a large influx of gloves into this country, apparently made in -Switzerland, Holland, and America. He had taken an opportunity of going over to the Continent, and making inquiries as to whether those goods were actually made in the countries where they were supposed to be made. He found that without the slightest shadow of a doubt practically every pair of gloves coming over stamped "Made in Switzerland," "Made in Holland," and "Made in U.5.A.," actually came from Germany. It was very difficult, to convince the British. Government of gnything, but he was absolutely certain In his own mind that something -would have to be done to stop this trade. Unfortunately the Government had so arranged tilings that if a Consul gavo a certificate saying that, he was satisfied that the goods were made in the country from which tliey were exported, the goods would come into England without further difficulty. He was very sorry to. say that absolute reliance could. not be placed on some of these certificates, liie Home Office had asked him whether lie had proof that the Consul would give a certificate of origin without actually knowing that the goods were made where they wore said to be made. He had been fortunate enough to get proof. Ho had in his possession goods supposed to be made in Holland, which had come over, the hands printed "Made in Holland" and the goods stamped "Made in Holland." Out of £600 worth, a mistake had been made with ono half-dozen. Probably through carelessness, a- workgirl had forgotten to stamp "Made in Holland" over "Made in Saxony." It was the fact- that they were actually made in Saxony. He inquired of the person who offered tho goods whether he had the Consul's certificate, and ho produced botli the Consul's certificate and also a certificate from tho local Chamber of Commerce!