GERMAN TRADE TREATY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18947, 19 February 1925, Page 6

GERMAN TRADE TREATY.

The time is approaching when the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between Britain and Germany, signed at the beginning of December, must be made effective, ft is interesting, therefore, to find a British Board of Commerce established at Hamburg. The need to restore trade between the two countries to approximately its old footing has been generally accepted. Last month there expired those provisions of the Treaty of Versailles by which the Allies were given, for five years, mostfavoured-nation treatment in Germany. The future could not be left without provision, especially as the other Allies were talking of agreements with Germany. Negotiations were begun in Berlin as long ago as last September. They were concluded at London by the signing of the treaty on December 2. In it each nation agrees to accord the other most-favoured-nation treatment. There is a reciprocal undertaking to abolish restrictions on and prohibition of imports and exports as between the two countries. One of the effects of the treaty is that it permits the admission of German sailors into the British mercantile marine on the same footing as other aliens. The Seamen's Union objects to this. It will be necessary for certain legislation, making the treaty effective, to be passed very soon. The attitude of the organised seamen is expected to produce some opposition. Otherwise, it may be expected that the arrangement will cause little excitement. Finally, it may be noted that as signed, the treaty affects only the United Kingdom. The right to adhere to if is, however, granted all-the self-govern-ing Dominions and India, if they elect to do so before September 1, 1926. Meanwhile Germany will give their goods most-favoured-nation treatment, so long as they reciprocate. It is possible, therefore, that the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between Britain and Germany may become a treaty with the Empire as well.