BRITAIN'S FISCAL SYSTEM.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12945, 9 December 1909, Page 4

BRITAIN'S FISCAL SYSTEM.

"Germany's trade statistics show that she has transferred buying to a considerable extent from Britain to the United States. The latter now stands first as the purveyor to Germany, but Britain heads the list of consumers of German products."

Item in yesterday's cables from Berlin. Britain heads the list of consumers of German products! The irony of it! And over a million people out of work in the Old Land and ten million ill fed and poorly clothed and housed, the conditions of a large proportion of whom would be vastly improved if Britain protected her decaying industries and gave preference to her own dominions beyond the sea. Bri tain's exports to Germany have been decreasing, and her imports from Germany are on the increase; in other words the more Britain buys of Germany, the less Germany buys of Britain. This is reciprocation with a vengeance. Every item that goes to make up the export return means employment and wages, while the reverse obtains in respect to importations. The United Kingdom is still a greater manufacturing country than the German Empire. The difference is Germany is on the upgrade : Britain is on the down grade. Tlie remedy sliould be applied before tße disease has gone too far.