SIR A. GEDDES AND THE OPEN DOOR.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15973, 15 November 1919, Page 3

SIR A. GEDDES AND THE OPEN DOOR.

WHY HE DOBS HOT FEAR THE HUN, Replying at the Board of Trade to a deputation from the British Toy Manufacturers’ Association, who asked for three years’ prohibition against Gorman toys. Sir Auckland Geodes said that, whatever temporary spurt of goods might come from Germany in the immediate future, the information he had from Germany was quit© contrary to that now placed before him. The value of the mark had fallen in Germany, the cost of production there was rising rapidly, there was an enormous fail in productivity, and he was by no means sure that it was possible for Germany for months to come, possibly for years, seriously to compete with the trade the deputation represented. But, for fear that estimate might be wrong, the Government had reserved the power to stop impolite where those imports might possibly prove overwhelming in quantity. He had had information that, day from a very reliable source in Germany which indicated a state of affairs very different from that which the deputation had mentioned. There was no great manufacturing activity in Germany, and, apart from small accumulations, industry was not moving; it was very stagnant; they were short of raw material, and they were pitifully short of coal. Tie Government had not ‘good information, and they saw no sign of a poa'ibility, either now or in the near future, of the devastating torrent which the deputation feared. If the Government did see any sign of it, they had the power to act, and, as the Prime ‘Minister had announced, they would do so. ■ ‘V. Speaking of industries generally, ho remarked'that to prohibit Germany for a period of three years would hit Germany verv badly, but it would hit ourselves just as badly Germany at the present moment was a nation trembling on the verge of collapse. HO CHANGE OF POLICY, The policy of the Government was unchanged; it w r as to foster British industry,'and the method the Government, was adopting was, in their, opinion, the wisest method in face of the hard difficulties by which we were surrounded. Ho could not hold out any hope that the Government would modify its decision. Mr Scales: The Germans say they have Hie stocks in hand and can deliver them without delay. Sir Auckland; ‘There are., comparatively speaking, small stocks in Germany. ■ _ . Mr Scoles; There is evidence that the Importation is likely to be overwhelming. Mr Whiteley informed the President that a number of firms in this country of German origin had already cancelled the greater part of their orders with British makers. Was it, he asked, the intention of the Government to wait until those goods arrived before they 'proceided to act? Sir Auckland said he was not prepared to say the Board of Trade would act upon information given them by the deputation, bait he welcomed information from men in their position, and it would be very helpful.