GERMAN-MADE GOODS

Evening Star, Issue 19063, 5 October 1925, Page 8

GERMAN-MADE GOODS

REGAINING PRE-WAR MARKETS AUCKLAND SHOPS INVADED. The familiar words, “ Made in Germany,” which were terms of magic import in the days before the war, are once more coming into common usage in Auckland shops and warehouses (says the 'Herald ’). For over ten years the phrase has been shunned and avoided. To-day it is openly flaunted on the counters of Queen street shops, and is even chanted by shop assistants as a recommendation and an extra inducement to buy. The fact is that during the last twelve mouths New Zealand, in company with other dominions, has been the scene of a determined trade “ push ” launched by the Gorman manufacturers, and almost every wholesale house in Auckland lias been approached by English or Now Zealand representatives of German manufacturing linns. Intrigued by the extreme attractiveness of many of the lines, and tempted by the extraordinarily easy prices, importers have, in the main, thrown scruples to the wind in almost every case where they have seen certain profit and have bought up German goods that amount in volume from 1 per cent, to 10 and 15 per cent, of the total stocks they carry. Even the most patriotic appear to bo only human, ‘‘We treat Gorman inquiries for business all alike,” declared the general manager of a leading firm of importers. "We have a special stamp and return all communication through the post marked ‘ Remember the Lusitania, Captain Fryatt, and Nurse Caved.' ” The next minute bo was pointing to row after row of German-made articles adorning his sample tables.

Growing dominance of tlio local market is being obtained by Germany in tho matter of toys, small musical, instruments, and docks. The German toy industry appears to have almost recovered its world-famed status, and local shops are fairly well stocked with the Gorman articles, which are said to lose little to English toys in workmanship and quality, considering the fact that they are nearly half the price. Musical instruments, too, appear to have practically regained tho priority in tho local market they enjoyed before tho war. This applies solely to tho small kinds, such as mouth organs and accordions, which are imported at a price, that has practically killed the Japanese trade that grow up as a result of German commercial annihilation during the war. Tho cheapness of German musical instruments, however, docs not apply to pianos which, strange to say, are among the very few Gorman manufactures that arc failing to gain their former favor in Now Zealand. A case quoted by one, importer is that of an instrument of good commercial quality that does not sell for less than £l2O, compared with a, very similar English piano that sells at £9O or £95. The prices of German pianos have been increasing for months past. As for German clocks, some extremely attractive samples arc to bo seen in Auckland. Clock-making has long been a master craft in Bavaria, and German agents for one or two well-known firms have been very active in Auckland lately. Some beautiful chiming clocks are purchasable from the manufacturer for £B, ami grandfather clocks for £ls and £2O, English grandfather clocks of similar typo are priced at £7O and £BO. HARDWARE AND FANCY GOODS. Hardware has been coming in from Germany in certain quantities, including aluminium goods and carpenters’ and gardeners’ tools. Brices arc about 25 per cent, below those for similar British goods. Chinaware is to bo seen in smaller quantities, but knives and scissors in fair numbers, all under selling the Sheffield article, and apparently of good quality. In fancy goods German salesmen have been very active, and large quantities of all manner of goods are to be. seen in the shops and warehouses. Not all bear the “ Made in Germany ” imprint, but the country of origin in such cases is often betrayed by shabby quality and workmanship. In the better class of goods tho country, and in many cases tho name of the manufacturing firm, is plainly stated. Ladies’ leather bags, celluloid articles, and curiosities and polished woodwork arc by no means rarities, while perfumes, ranging in price from a few ponce to 30s a set of two bottles, and some exquisitely ornamented electroplated work, bear favorable comparison with British goods of a corresponding character. Scientific instruments are also finding their way back to favor. An effort is being piade to supply the dealers in.

wireless apparatus, and certain lines are aiready in stock. Iheso, besides boUof client Hio hreat commercial viituo oi ucni o approxhnafcely 100 per cent, cheaper ilvin the English and American article. It seems clear from Auckland experience that those Gorman manufacturers who possess the knowledge, P !a "J> skilled workmen necessary to produce articles of world-wide acceptance are Savin* no difficulty in taking: advan-tao-o of the low living conditions in their own country to make a bold bid for British and other world markets, and the existing Customs duties in New Zealand have so far acted badly as a barrier. In most classes of manufactures the duty on English imports is 20 per cent. On German and nthci foreign goods it amounts to Jo per cent ” a. 15 per cent, difference.