"MADE IN HAMBURG"

NZ Truth, Issue 999, 17 January 1925, Page 6

"MADE IN HAMBURG"

Exhibition Space For Germans

Divergent Views m Dunedin.

(From "Truth's" Dunedin Rep.)

The desirability of l-esuming trade with Germany is a subject that always leads to considerable difference of opinion, and this fact was emphasised at last week's meeting m Dunedih of the directors of the forthcoming New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition.

■ The chairman (Mr. J. Sutherland Ross) said that an application for space had come from Hamburg. He proposed that a reply should be sent on the lines made to similar applications m the past — that all applications from foreign countries were being received through their consuls, and that as there was no German Consul m New Zealand the directors regretted that they could not accept the private application. Mr. H. L. Tapley: Is it our intention to discourage German exhibits? The chairman: It has been my firm conviction all along that it was our duty to do so. Mr. Tapley: What about Wembley? Mr. C. . Hainsworth (general manager of the Exhibition) said there had been a lot of comment at Home on the fact -that some of the souvenirs there bore the imprint "Made m Germany." Mr. Tapley: I doubt whether we are justified m taking up this attitude of opposition to German exhibits. The chairman said he had informed the Government of- his view that Ger-. many was m the position of a fraudulent bankrupt, and ought not to be allowed to come into competition with those who were seeking to carry on their business honestly. The matter had not yet been definitely before the New Zealand Government. Mr. C. Todd: We are- trading -with Germany. I am selling them hides and wool. If we are trading on one side, how are we to ( stop them trading on the other side? ' . Mr. Tapley: Exactly! You must be consistent. The chairman: You are probably getting paid with stolen money!. Mr. Todd replied that he had no brief for Germany, but they must look facts m the face. Britain was dealing with Germany and deploring" thq fact that she could not get more trade with her. Mr. Tapley suggested to the chairman that he would not refuse to sell his wool to a German. Mr. C. Speight: It is bound to come m time. When the New Zealand Government recognises the position it is time enough for us to. . .

Mr. H. Sincock; The Government does recognise the position. There is no embargo against trading with Germany — nothing to stop it.

Mr. P. Barr said he understood that the chairman was m favor of discouraging exhibits from Germany, but did not propose to prohibit them. ... The chairman: If Aye are going to have these things put up with notices "Made m Hamburg," there will be such a storm of protest from one end of the country to the other that it will "crab" the Exhibition. That is my firm conviction.

Mr. Speight said he thought it had been distinctly understood that they would not accept exhibits from any of the countries with which we had been at war.

The chairman moved that a letter be sent to the applicant on the lines he had suggested. .

Mr. Tapley said he would like to know what other parts of the Empire were doing m the matter. He expressed the opinion' that the policy they had adopted up to the present might lead to the setting up of a German Consul and the development of a huge 'business with Germany, whereas if they quietly "accepted these few exhibits there would be % nothing said about it.

Eventually it was decided to defer further consideration for a Aveek.