BRITISH-GERMAN TRADE RIVALRY

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1949, Page 5

BRITISH-GERMAN TRADE RIVALRY

LONDON, May 5 (Recd Bpm). Businessmen and economists who have been studying conditions in the British zone of Germany consider that fierce competition will develop between Germany and Britain during the next few years, states the “News Chronicle’s" Berlin correspondent.

Economists consider that German competition will be fair, for although the Germans have certain definite advantages in manufacturing for export, they also labour under certain definite disadvantages when in competition with British firms. In most German industries wages are about 50 per cent, lower than in Britain, but adult male British workers at present are working an average of 45J hours a week, compared with 44* hours in Germany. The transport of coal is much cheaper in Germany than in Britain, but British industries can borrow capital at 4* per cent., whereas German industrialists have to pay six to 10 per cent. It is emphasised that Germany’s well-organised system of inland water transport gives the Germans a decided advantage in lower cartage charges -Special N.Z.P.A. Correspondent.