CHEMICAL PACT

Evening Star, Issue 19723, 25 November 1927, Page 8

CHEMICAL PACT

AMTAGES TO EMPIRE Any anxiety which might have been felt in Great Britain at the news that Imperial Chemical Industries had decided to co-operate closely with the German Dye Trust has been dispelled by Sir Alfred blond, chairman of the British company, states tho ‘ Morning Post.’ “ No negotiations with any group in a foreign country will bo allowed to interfere with the of tho chemical industry in Great Britain or iu the Empire,” said Sir Alfred Mond to' a ‘Morning Post’ representative. “ When Brunner Moud took oyer from the Government their plant for synthetic ammonia—the basis for nearly all war- explosives—the consequence was that by tho development of these manufactures explosives could bo provided without resorting to the importation of foreign raw materials. This has since been done, creating a self-contained production within tho country. Already capital to the amount of £5,00G,00U will shortly have to bo expended in this enterprise, and further developments are in contemplation. In time of vital national emergency, therefore, this country would not bo in any way dependent on the foreigner for products essential to its security. “ I have seen it suggested,” Sir Alfred Mond proceeded, ‘‘that an agreement is in contemplation between tho Imperial Chemical industries and the German Dye Trust which might tend to favor Germany as far as manufacture is concerned, and leave- this country in a state of inferiority in time of war. and its chemical industry in an inferior position. Nothing could bo more incorrect. “ 1 can state emphatically that wo do not consider the British chemical industry to be in any way inferior to the German industry. Many people are still under the impression that cheaper wages necessarily produce cheaper goods. Surely the Amcricansjnive disproved this stupid theory! Wo iu England can produce synthetic ammonia quite as cheaply as the Germans. Further, dnr costs of production of chemical products are as low as, if not lower than, in other countries. ‘‘Far from it being in our minds to conclude any agreement which would tend to give advantage to Germany at the expense of Great Britain, the whole trend of any discussion lias been to get for the British Empire such advantages of new inventions as synthetic oil, and to form a harmonious mutual intercnango of inventions, processes, and ideas of which we have as many as any other country. •‘ As far as national security is concerned,” he concluded, “tho present Imperial Chemical Industries is formed of firms who were responsible for tho chemical supplies in the late war, and it should be remembered that we supplied both ourselves and our Allies with explosives and gns at a very short notice. In point of fact, this country is far better off to-day for explosives than it was in 1918. “Our British combine is in close touch with the Government, but iu my opinion it would bo contrary to all conservative doctrines .to expect a trading concern to ■ submit! its plans and arrangement". ior sanction to any Government department. Such a course would .paralyse all business activity and put quite an unreasonable responsibility on the Government officials. “ Onr negotiations with tho German Dye- Trust, are in no way sensational. There can be no question of amalgamating, but only of discussing points of common interest, which has been the practice of-every great firm or combine m the world.”