A LESSON FROM GERMANY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14236, 2 March 1917, Page 6

A LESSON FROM GERMANY.

•CORNER IN GEESE." Four wholesale poultry dealers m Berlin -worked out a scheme worthy of a Chicago "wheat king" to "corner" the Oiristmas and New Year goose market. IFor many weeks beforehand their agents had scoured the Pxmssian poultry farms and brought up everything available m the goose lane. Their' activities were so successful that thej. were able to ship three cartloads of g.eese to Berlin. As geeso were worth from £2 ,to £5 apiece m" these fatlos_) and meatless times the consignment represented a total value of £9000. The "War Usury Office," an institu- ( tion which has had a very busy time during tho past few months, allowed the goose dealers •to complete their transactions m tho provinces, and when the vans reached Berlin the contonta were confiscated ! The merchants wero arrested and will bo , prosecuted. The "War Usury Office" also discovered that poultry raisers m tho country are m the habit ol* making long journeys to Berlin to sell -three or four geesa, false news having reached the rural regions that a fat goose now commands £12 10s m Greater Berlin ! ■ On Christmas ' Eve the "War Usury Office" also suppressed a plot to "corner" apples. Barge loads which had just arrived m Berlin by the canal route wero seized to an aggregate valUe of £25,000. The people who expected to derive huge and quick profits, have all been an-es|ed and -will be put m the dock with the geese speculators.