STILL TRADING WITH GERMAN TYRES.

Evening Star, Issue 15909, 15 September 1915, Page 4

STILL TRADING WITH GERMAN TYRES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —While all the newspapers and indignation meetings are protesting about aliens and spies in our midst, the Government do nothing. It is true some few individuals have been fined or imprisoned for trading with the enemy. There is still a glaring case going on all over New Zealand to-day, and, the biggest farce of all, the Government are practically the traders. For the time being, they occupy the position of trustees for a Germaji firm and are helping them to sell their goods. What they don't tell the_ public, however, is that they are selling German-made tyres " Made in Hun— Germany." They are offered to the public under their original name of " Continental Tyres,." but few of the public, perhaps, take the trouble to find out where they are made. The Continental Caoutchouc and Guttapercha Compagnie, of Hanover, Germany, incorporated a branch company at Melbourne in 1905 to trade in German goods in Australia and New Zealand. The following is the latest list of directors and shareholders in the company (extracted from the 'Melbourne Age' of October 16, 1914), showing the number of £1 shares held by each. It will be observed that the shares are all held by the directorate: — Shares. Siegmund Seligmann, Hanover (Germany), merchant 3,000 George Beck, Hanover (Germanv), merchant "... 1,500 George August Hirsch, Hanover (Germany), merchant 497 Edward Edwards (Eichentroon, a German), Melbourne, managing director .'. 1 James Campbell, Kew, solicitor ... 1 George Selbv, Malvern, accountant ... ..*. 1 Total 5,000 It will thus be seen that the. firm are essentially German, as 4,997 shares out of the 5,000 (for the Melbourne and New Zealand Company) are held by Messrs Seligmann, Beck, and Hirsch, of Hanover, Germany. The two following extracts from the memorandum of association clearly set forth the objects of the company:— To purchase, or otherwise acquire, and sell, or otherwise dispose of, all kinds of goods manufactured by the Continental Caoutchouc and Guttapercha Compagnie, of Hanover, in Germany, or by any other person or company in any part of the world manufacturing goods similar to those manufactured by the said Continental Caoutchouc and Guttapercha Compagnie, of Hanover. To carry on the business of indentors and importers of goods manufactured by the said Continental Caoutchouc and Guttapercha Compagnie, of Hanover, etc. Having demonstrated the fact of the origin of the tyres and where the profit made goes to, it onlv remains to say that the New Zealand Government appointed a receiver some time after war broke out Wo are therefore led to believe that the Government will hand over the profits they have helped Messrs Eichentroon and company to make, after the war is over. One is interested to know what Germany would do under similar circumstances. I think we may be sure that long -ere this all goods, funds, or assets would be confiscated for the use of the piratical murderers and killers of old men, women, and children. At this stage, however, of the war, knowing all we know of ' our common enemy's tactics, the New Zealand Government, calling for the flower of our youth to " go forth and die for the country," permit this German companv (still trading in New Zealand under "the wing of our Government) to send out the following circular to the cycle trade of New Zealand:— Madras street, Christchurch, September 6, 1915. Dear Sir,—ln order to dispose of the remaining stock of cycle tyres, we take pleasure in advising that" we are prepared to offer this stock at exceptional prices in tots of 25 or over, as follows : „ L . , Covers. Tubes. Continental 5/ each 2<'2 each Wyngeel 4/ each 2/ each. No Name—(2B x 1| and \%) 3/3 each ( 28 * H) -. 1/9 each. All the quotations criven above are net cash with order, and we will be pleased to give your esteemed orders immediate, attention. We would also point out thai orders received for these goods will bo taken in the order as they are received, until the stock of goods above mentioned has been disposed of.—We remain etc., ' Continental C. and G. Rubber. Co., Ltd. This, of course, means that British, I'rench, and Australian-made tyres are put out of business, they not being able to compete with these" cheap German products, as the cost of production is miles above the price at which the " Continental " tyres are being offered. Doubtless, a large proportion of cycle traders (at heart patriotic) will seize this splendid chance of securing an extra war profit, kindly offered with the consent of the Government receiver. At the outset, on learning of the practice with regard to the disposal nf the Continental Company's tyres and goods in New Zealand, I waited, fully expecting some abler pen than mine would expose it for the benefit of those not initiated, but I cannot remain reticent p.ny longer. I feel now that it is my duty as a citizen to warn the public that the money they pay for this company's tyres is being carefully .saved up (the business expenses being discharged) by our Dominion Government, and will, in all probability, be handed over to what remains of the German nation after we have beaten them. For all we know it may prove for them the nucleus of a new war chest fund, so that the Huns can commence to dream again of a great and further effort to " Kultnrise" the world at some far distant date. No, I say let us stop such foolishness now. Are we bound to protect their funds and help them dispose of their goods? Could our dead heroes on Gallipoli soil and elsewhere know of our doings and weakness in the matter of aliens and enemy subjects which we permit day after day, I am inclined to think they would stir in their graves and in their spiritual way wonder if " they had given their lives for the British " nation in vain." We owe it to the memory of our New Zealand sons to take a definite stand, and not urge, but insist, on a proper ' girding up of the loins," so as to prevent a recurrence of such practices, for I understand there are similar cases existing in other trades. Above all, we must not allow our enemy to compete with our British industry" and labor either now or when the war is settled. I am, etc., Henky H. Gaudin. September 13.