BID FOR WORLD-TRADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 445, 10 July 1922, Page 5

BID FOR WORLD-TRADE.

SYDNEY, June 10,

How buyers from all parts of the world are Hocking to Germany in thousand" was related by Mr Eugen Block, Consul for Switzerland, on bis return from Europe by the Ormonde to-day. At the Leipzig Fair it was estimated that there were 150,000 buyers, and the majority of them foreign to Germany.

When Mr Block, was met this morning by a representative of The Sun lie was asked to speak on German activity, for although Australians are interested iu his own little country—Switzerland—the attention of all nations is being focussed on Germany’s efforts to regain her old pride of place in the world’s commerce. “The Germans, without doubt, are the busiest people of Europe,” said Mr Block. “Factories are working at the highest pressure. Orders for the next 12 months have been placed, and every ellort is being made to meet demands, (if course, manufacturers have hardly any stocks on band, and therefore find it necessary to go their hardest. Toys, hosiery, and chemicals are in great demand. BUYERS, BUYERS, EVERYWHERE.

“I found that at industrial centres it was impossible to get rooms at the hotels, which were all absolutely lull of foreign buyers. On one occasion 1 was told that an hotel could not find room for another traveller, but in that case a little bribery and argument prevailed. I was taken in, and I considered myself lucky.” Then Mr Block spoke of the giganttc Leipzig Fair, which attracted thousands of buyers from all parts of the world. Amongst the 150,000 there were a few from Australia, ho said. WAGES GOING UP.

“The cost of living in Germany is going up,” said the Consul, “and consequently wages are, following suit. Labour in Germany to-day is better oft', but the middle classes are suffering. The public servants too, are in a bad way. I found that conditions had altered morally since I was hast in Germany, and I simply couldn’t get used to the change. Once Berlin had a civic pride, and its streets wore renowned for their cleanliness. Cleanliness is now a thing of the past. Berlin tram faros have advanced 100 per cent since my last visit.