GERMAN TRADERS

Northern Advocate, 18 October 1920, Page 4

GERMAN TRADERS

SEEKING BUSINESS IN NEW

ZEALAND

GOODS STILL BARRED BY ORDER-IN-COUNCIL. •

The news brought back by travellrs that Germany is rapidly iesbermg. her industries to a state of stability and output which seemed impossible two years ago is borne out by the fact thac busineess firms in Wellington are in receipt of letters, catalogueSj and circulars from German firms soliciting orders. One nrm in ±>eriin, writing to the Wellington City Council's Eiectric Light Department, offers electric irons, oroilfers, eofl'£ e preoiators, and ke.tcles at prices 25 per cent, less than ih e cost of similar goods in America. The writers say: "Because of using only lirst-ciass raw materials we are abl e to deliver our articles again in just the same good quality as in prewar times. . . . We trust you to be still in possession of oui' catalogue made in 1914, the prices of which are just the same, 'Dut with an augmentation of 900 per cent. All our' prices subjected to be charged on tnat announcement, are to be understood . free factory to be charged at self cost prices. Please examine our offer thoroughly, and let us know if you are. disposed to renew business relations with our iirm, which we believe will become advantageous for both parts."

Th e foregoing is one of many business letters from Germany that are iinding their way to New -Zealand. The letter (owing to the printed superscription on the envelope) was plainly from Germany, and it was stamped, "Passed by N.Z. Military Censor."

The fact that a German business letter is passed by the censor does not mean vhat any business can result from such communications. On being communicated with', the Collector of Customs stated that the Qrder-in-Council, barring he importation of goods from any of qiir late enemy countries, had not yet been revoked, and ho ventured the .opinion was scarcely like(y that it would b e revoked. Only certain potashes, salts, dyes, and delicatelymade instruments wer e being allowed to comu in to New Zealand from Germany, and such articles wer c only allowed to be imported under special permit and'with the consent of the Minister of Customs.'

i* The prohibition is a fairly thorough one. If it holds 'good, no new season's dried fruits may be expected this year from the Levant, no carpets from Turkey, no figs from Palestine, no perfumes from Arabia, no attar of*roses from Bulgaria, no lead pencils from Austria. While this is so, England has thrown her doors wide, open to German trade, and America (which is boycotting British goods and ships) is flooding

our markets with her manufactures,