"TRADING WITH THE ENEMY."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16508, 7 October 1915, Page 2

"TRADING WITH THE ENEMY."

A NICE QUESTION FOR PATRIOTS. DIVIDED OPINIONS IN THE CITY COUNCIL. At the close l of the ordinary business of the City Council last night a keen discussion took plaoe on a phase of the question of " trading with the enemy." By a unanimous suspension of the Standing Orders Cr Shaddock, as. chairman of the Electric Power and Lighting Committee, was given an opportunity of reopening the question of renewing or repairing a traction battery. Cr Shacklock moved that the resolution of September 8 regarding the tender for a Tudor battery be rescinded, and the tender of Messrs Turnbull and Jones of £182 7s for the same be accepted." He said that as a result of the council's decision the engineer immediately went into the matter of spare parts for the Tudor battery. The tender then was for £165. He (the speaker) had stated then that if the tender was rejected it would coat the council . £500 to replaoe the positive and negative plates. He was guessing in saying so. The engineer now stated that it would cost £975 to replace these plates. Since the tender waa before them the price had advanced 10 per cent., and advices from Manchester' said there was every likelihood of an advance of another 10 per cent. These plates were made in England.. The company controlling their manufacture was a German company, but at the outbreak of the war the British Government had _ appointed a receiver to look after its affaire. It might be said that the profits after tho war would go to Germany. He did A not "know whether that would fee so or not. Thee© plates were being dailv bought by the British War Department for use in submarines, and so far as the Government was concerned these articles were lopked upon as a British proIf the council reaffirmed its. previous decision it would be forced to spend £1000 in reinstating the whole of the plates at present in the battery. Cr Lonn, who seconded the motion, said there was not much likelihood of its being opposed after the explanation given. Even if the.firm,were a German one, to adhere to the resolution would • mean spending £800 or £900 to avoid giving about £15 to Germans. The Mayor said he did not want to appear to be influencing the council to alter its previous decision, and he wanted to make the position clear. Cr Shacklock at ■ the- previous meeting had had to make an estimate on the spur of the_ moment, and this had proved on investigation to be seriously, wrong. In the altered circumstances, therefore, he felt it his duty "to give _ the whole council an opportunity of reconsidering its decision. As Cr Cole hud bluntly said, it was a question of money or principle. This company was practically entirely owned by Germans, and he thought the_ council ought to adhere to its previous decision.

Cr Sinclair strenuously opposed the motion. Ho thought least said about Cr Lunn's remarks the better. There was-no getting away from the fact that this was a German company. It was reeking with Germanism, and th'ey wanted_ to kill it absolutely even at the present time. They, ought to give the British manufacturer a chance even if it cost 500 or 600 per cent, more. How were these plates produced so cheaply?. Because the Germans were trying to cut prices. Were they going to fall into the trap? Cr Wilson said he would reverse the vote he had previously given and support the chairman of the committee. British workmen were doing the work, and the company had been taken control- of for the use of the British Empire. Or Black said he would vote-for upholding the. previous, motion. In keeping with true British' traditions, they had a right to _ support only British manufactured articles, even if they cost £1000, or even £100,000. This had been a dumping ground for years for German goods, and had the G«rmans 'been a little more cunning they would not have gone to war for years, when they would have had the trade of' the i world at their feet._ There were German goods being sold in Dunedin to-day, and the Germans were trading with people in Dunedin to-day. A Voice: Who with?

Cr Black: .You will find out soon. Continuing, he said 'we had got to the positipn when we would have to crush the Germans, no matter in what form, but the silver bullet would be the most effective way. He thought they had a chance of _ making; a .start,- and they should seize it' with both hands.

Cr Tavern or said ho -would be consistent ; he 'would vote as he did ; when this matter was last before the council. If he was wrong now t they 1 were certainly wrong two 'months ago in not buying a new Tudor battery. Cr Scott supported the, chairman of the Electric Power and Lighting Committee, kand said, if he could get material of, Gei> man manufacture with which to beat Germans he would have no compunction whatever in using it. If this means would tend to efficiency they would be right in using them. The council had no moral right to throw away £1000, and. they had a right if they ceroid to make ' gain by utilising tjhis material, < and were justified in so doing. ' • " ' . . Cr Carroll supported the motion, and contended that the expenditure of £180 in the direction, 'indicated by the chairman of '.the committee would in the circumstances tot make any difference to the; Gtermans, but would be materially to the benefit of the citizens. ' '

Cr Green said that many of them., were full of patriotism when it suited, but when it was a question of the Almighty dollar principle and patriotism were thrown to the winds. They should consider the Empire of which we formed a part, aiid if it. lost £1000 that shouid not be considered.. The chairman should go to a British firm to get any article he-required, no matter what it cost. He would support the former resolution. . _ . Cr Douglas maintained that if by purchasing this material- they were -not benefiting the enemy,'which they would not be doing, and if it would be of benefit to the citizens of Dunediii, they would be justified in doing so. In addition they would be saving £800 or £900. , He would oppose the installation of a new Tudor battery, but not to secure the parts; mentioned would 'be very unwise. Cr White said'this wasi a serious question not only to the council, but also to the citizens of Dunedin. He was a New Zealander, and whether the ( British Government utilised German plates for the construction of 1-heir submarines did not matter to him. He was not in favour of securing Gorman plates for the batteries. When these were worn out he supposed further German plates would be purchased. He opined that they should have British plates after 1 these were done, and why not'have them now. They could have bad a reliable opinion from the High Commissioner if they had so desired, just by' cabling. If the British Government had the right to take over a German concern, he. as a New Zealander and a city councillor, did not think the council should fall into line with anything which' would be of benefit. to the enemy. If the resolution were .carried he would take steps to see that the previous resolution of the council was adhered to.

Or Shacklock, in replying, said he was' not .going .'to find fault with the councillors who could not see their way clear to vote with the wish of the committee Cr Sinclair had .spoken of the very low 'cost of the Tudor plates. , That was not the question at all. The reason that they would have to spend £1000 on the British plates was that they would have to replace the whole of the plates, but with the £162 they would only replace the plates where necessary. In following tho British Government they would be following a good lead. >

The motion was declared carried, tho voting being as follows: — Ayes: Crs Carrol], Lunn, Hancock, Wilson, Shacklook, Begg, Soott, Douglas; .Noes: Crs Sinclair, Taverner, Black, Green, and White.

Or Sinclair gave notice that he would take steps to nave this decision reversed, and undertook to lodge a notice of .motion to that effect immediately.