INDUSTRIAL FACTS ABOUT BELGIUM

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 52, 24 November 1928, Page 11

INDUSTRIAL FACTS ABOUT BELGIUM

Sir, —May I trespass on the hospitality of your columns with a view to rectifying a few statements concerning my country appearing in "The Dominion oi this morning, November 21? Returning from a trip to Great Britain and the Continent of Europe, Mr. Norwood, a prominent business man and a former Mayor of this city, is reported to have said: “Shipbuilding in Great Britain is picking up very nicely, but the nature of the German reparations gives very little chance for the coal anil iron industry. Belgium is able to quote commercial steel in England lower than their cost ot production, and when one considers that it takes several tons ot coal to make a ton of commercial steel it can be seen how this reflects upon England’s own consumption of coal. “Mr. Norwood explained in regard to the reparations terms that a great quantity of German coal was being delivered to Belgium, and with the advantage oi cheap fuel the Belgian industrialists were in a position to quote far below normal figures. Similarly, Italy was reaping the benefit of German ‘reparation coal, but was not in the same position to compete in prices, as Italy lacks ores and must import them.” To anybody acquainted with economic facts in Europe at the present time, particularly with the economics of the coal and iron and steel industry, such a statement will appear extraordinary, to say the least. Mr. Norwoods such general and sweeping declarations need the support of concrete facts. _ These contradict Mr. Norwood’s allegations. First of all, the situation in which the English manufacturers of iron and steel find themselves is clearly depicted in an article published by the Economist,” of July 28, 1928, on “Iron and Steel Safeguarding.” I strongly advise Mr. Norwood to read it. He will nna there accurate and valuable particulars supplementing and no doubt rectifying his personal observations. Now, Sir, the contention that Belgian industrialists have the advantage -of cheap fuel on account of the great quantity of German coal being delivered to Belgium for reparations’ denotes on the part of Mr. Norwood a complete ignorance of the subject. The annua coal output in Belgium is to-day approximately 28.000.000 tons, the imports around 11.500,000 tons, of which 4000000 tons (including reparations) are on ginated from Germany, the rest mainly from Great Britain, France and Holland. The coal delivered by Germany on a count of reparations is paid for “ Belgian industrialists to the Bel„ian Government on the basis fixed y - Coal Commission composed experts of Allied countries and equivalent to tne marVpf- nrice at the date of delivery. The Belgian manufacturers of *ron and arc in a far worse nosition than their English competitors for their supP 1 ThV following figures nnblisbed hY for o? Europe for the year 1925 The basis adopted is 100 for Great Britain. per ton reduced: not ln ' 771 n L eluding eluding the em- employers’ ployers

Poland 101 >3B 41 _ It is necessary to add that from 192 a to 1927 the average yield in the Hunt increased from 977 to 1132 kgs., in England from 974 to 1040 kgs Not so in Belgium. Furthermore, the legislation ruling the conditions of labour .in the Belgian mines is such that the time of “useful presence” in the galleries is 6.1.) hours in Belgium and over 7 hours in England, where the conditions of the seams are incomparably more favourable. If Belgium is able to compete successfully on the big markets of the world, eineciallv for steel and iron product, being now the largest exporter of iron and stcef in the world, it is mainly for the following reasons: —1. Constant progress made in standardisation and special), aHon. 2. Adoption by manufacturers of labour-saving machinery and devices. . . Concentration and rationahsation 1 necially in iron and steel industry. 4. Splendid spirit of co-operation between emnloyers and employees. 5. Well-known skill and efficiency of the engineers and workmen, and therefore products of the highest quality. Belgium IS craclle of the world’s metal trade; that industry was introduced in England by Belgians in the course of the sixteenth century. 6 Low' cost' of living with a consequent standard pi remuneration. It might interest Mr. Norwood to know that the quotations in the middle of September for Belgian iron and steel were as follow, f.o.b. Antwerp Bars. £6 Is. 66. to £6 2s. 66.: angles (large size) £5 12s. 66. to £5 155.; angles (medium size). £5 18s. to £6; angles, (small size). £6 Is. 66. to £6 2s. 6d.: rods (assorted). £6 17s. 6(1. to £6 18s. 66.; hoops base. £7 to £7 2s. 66 ; drawn. round, £9 2s 6<l to £9 55.; drawn, hexagon. ±.) 16s. 6<i. to £9 18s. Are these prices lower than the cost of production m Britain. I can assure Mr. Norwood that Enplnnd. who continues in spite of some difficulties more apparent than real, to be tne leading commercial and industrial country in Europe, and for whom every unbiased man—whatever his nationality is j 1113 the greatest admirabon and sympathy. can do better and does better. Lastly, the former Mayor, who apparently travelled as a student of economics in Europe, should know that Belgium lacks entirely iron ores, nnd has to import the whole of her supply.—l am. etc.. ARMAND NIHOTTE, Consul for Belgium in N.Z. Wellington, November 22.

Country or district. Average contrloutput, buttons. contributions. Great Britain . Belgium .. • • Netherlands 100 48 82 59 100 99 90 81 100 100 96 83 Sarre District Ruhr 71 100 63 83 68