TRADE WITH GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 165, 31 March 1923, Page 7

TRADE WITH GERMANY

\ EXTENSION OF EMBARGO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DISCUSSION, Further consideration was given by the Chamber. of Commerce on Wednesday to the question of trading with Germany. ‘ Mr. J. T. Martin presided. Mr., J. Myers said the question should be approached from two standpoints —was the removal of the embargo in the interests of the Dominion, and should it be removed in September or in January next? He instanced the remarkable efforts of German merchants to secure overseas trade, as WWR Illustrated by the Leipzic Fair, which he visited in 1914. He opposed the lifting of the embargo. . The Government, he said, was throwing the responsibility on the chambers of commerce; they should therefore consult all the other chambers, to arrive at a united opinion. Mr. C. Young urged that ample protection be afforded to New Zealand manufacturers against cheap German goods. The chairman remarked that, although few people desired to trade with Germany for. Germany’s good, it might be to New Zealand’s benefit to trade with Germany in raw materials. Mr. D. A. Ewen said that al? other parts of the Empire had reopened trade with Germany. He suggested! that the matter be carefully considered, with! the, view of having German goods subject to such duty that local and British manufacturers should nob be prejudiced. The other dhambers of commerce in the Dominion should give expression to their views, so that unity might be arrived at in any scheme put before the Customs Department, in reply to its recent circular. . Mr. H. H. Oxley said that the decision to trade with Germany emanated from the Imperial authorities rather than .the Dominions. He. did not see much chance of putting off the date for the recommencement of trade. Mr. H. D. Vickery, secretary of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, satd that the Minister had asked all the chambers to suggest alternative schemes, but that none were forthcoming. Whatever scheme were decided on, they must expect a certain amount of dissatisfaction in the interpretation c'f it. After further discussion the matter was referred to tile Importers’ and Customs Sub-committee.