FALL OF MARK A SWINDLE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3147, 11 December 1922, Page 8

FALL OF MARK A SWINDLE.

Germany is a malingerer- a humbug in the opinion of Mr C. Claxlon Turner, who writes in the National Renew on “The Great German Booby Trap." A depreciated rate of exchange is a very serious complaint, that may well cause the death ol a nation; but in tin's case the original attack/, caused by war. took a comparatively mild form. The patient is described as simulating the symptoms in an aggravated form in the hope of effecting a swindle. Except in the case of some of the unskilled workers, the low value of the mark has little detrimental effect on Germans. Everywhere in Germane cafes are crowded, and the middle classes deny themselves nothing in reason. Most Englishmen in Germany look at exchange value (the “valuta”)- solely ii'oin an English point ol view; but w iimi a railway porter is rewarded with a live mark unto, valued by an EngI simian al something less than a penny, be is receiving what be regards, with a good deal of reason, as live shillings. An Englishman stays at Ids Hotel for a week, and his bill is less than a sovereign. He gives the ball porter a, oil-mark note, and the porter considers that be lias received il'2 10.-. The- broad fact is that the internal scale of charges has been multiplied by anything it)> to id. and sometimes by nine hj less. For instance, a good German cigar is obtainable lor three marks, or only four limes its pre-war price. Mr Turner has never lon ml any eoimnodily (bal has been increased in price more (bail 10 | idles 1 , except .such articles ns involve importation from other countries, in those eases (lie goods are out of reach ol all except, foreigners and (lie- extremely rich.

Hermans nl tilt' lormer military class, as well as business men. spend munev like water night after night. Earlier in tile day they have been known to lament their parlous state, and to seek the business friendship of England. Sometimes a prete.nee is made' that English goods art' wanted, hut (Ids is only a method of trying to induce visitors to take up agencies. It is sadly admitted “that there is a prejudice in England against Herman travellers. Samples obtained from London are sent to Herman lactones to he copied Mr T nrner believes that upper-class Hermans tire the servants of (he valuta .Mist as they were lormerly the un-uni-formed servants of militarism ; that their service is to divert, attention from the driving force and purposes of the '■idnta ; and I hat a large supply of the paper currency, and possibly a private note-printing machine, is their gratelul country s reward. An experienced llritish Hontneiital representative can 1 ravel in all countries at an average cost of (:.'!(I a week. At the rate of exchange when Mr Turner wrote, this would cost a Herman traveller the equivalent of LM.'loO a. week: yet Europe is crowded with Herman commercial travellers. It is obvious that (he (inns represented have some method of evading the valuta.