DENMARK'S AMBITIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14491, 4 October 1910, Page 4

DENMARK'S AMBITIONS.

Mr. Consul Lid dell's report on the trade and commerce of Denmark during 1909 contains an interesting note on the " state of Denmark" from the point of view of the influence of a tariff on indus-* trial development. As the exports from Denmark are almost exclusively composed of agricultural produce, he says, it is usually assumed abroad that Denmark is a purely farming country, and that no attention is paid to other industries. This is, however, a fallacy. Of the whole popukition 37.8 per cent, live by agriculture and forestry, 31.5 per cent, by manufactures and 15 per cent, by commerce and transport. There appears to have been a steady increase of late years in the number of the population gaining a livelihood from industrial pursuits. The moderate protective tariff under which Danish industries flourish has led to the result that a large number of industries are represented, but on a small scale suitable to a small country. There is no duty in Denmark on agricultural products and that on raw materials has either been abolished altogether or greatly reduced. There is, however, a considerable duty on manufactured goods, dry goods being, perhaps, taxed the highest. The hardware group, rope and cables, wire and tinware all enjoy adequate protection, whilst the duty on machinery has been reduced from 10 to 5 per cent, ad valorem. The majority of the larger manufactories are I to be found in Copenhagen, which numbers about 725 factories, employing over 20 hands each. In the other towns are 488 factories, and in the country 253. It has been asserted that Denmark could never possibly have a future as an industrial country because it is destitute of raw materials, and is absolutely dependent on the import of foreign materials for her trade and industries, except farming; but the law of 1908, removing the duties on raw materials, has to some extent dissipated this contention. Coal, iron, etc., ■will in future be almost as cheap in Denmark as in the United Kingdom, as the carriage of these articles is of minor importance. What Denmark now requires is a number of skilled workmen and managers, and, above a foreign market. As compared with the export of agricultural produce, the export of industrial articles is insignificant, but in commercial circles endeavours are being made to obtain the recognition of goods turned out by Danish workmanship, provided that such articles can be produced of as good quality and as cheap as similar articles of foreign production with which they are entering into competition. The movement is defensive in character, and, whilst seeking to capture the home market, anticipates an expansion of tho exports in the future. For many years the Danish industrial exports have ranged between £888,800 and £1,222,200 a year. The last two years have, 'however, witnessed a rapid increase.