ENEMY PROPAGANDA.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16045, 9 February 1920, Page 5

ENEMY PROPAGANDA.

EXPLOITIN'J NEW ZEALAND. BUSINESS ITEMS NAMED. AN INDIGNANT DEIAL. CHRISTCHURCH, February 5. An example of enemy propaganda is a publication called "Tile World Market," describing itself as "The official trade journal of the Central and Foreign States." it is published in Yienna, and is in the form of a newspaper of eight pages. An interesting feature is its claim to have representatives in the larger towns of New Zealand. The November numb-ex announces ■that ’"'All these who have any human feeling, and wish to forgot race hatred and distinction may contribute to help poor prisoners of war in terrible Siberia.” All subscriptions are to be sent to the president of the "Club of the Fast in Central Eurojx;,” Yienna. it also announces that “Arrangements are made by our finance department whereby the following firms will receive for and on our behalf any subscriptions for prisoners of war relief department, and also the Yienna Christmas and department.” The list of linns includes five firms each in Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch, and four in D-ancdja. Most of the articles in the issue arc trade propaganda pure and simple. The Club of the Fast is intended to rearrange trade matters between Germany, Austria, and the newly-founded national States and the East. It will attempt to revive former connections, and to regain iost influence in the East. A correspondent of the Christchurch Sun made inquiries among the Wellington firms mentioned in the list. One could not be traced, and the remaining four said they knew- nothing of the matter, had never seen the publication, and denied indignantly that they had any connection at all with the Club of the East. Their names bad been used without consent or knowledge. Of the five Christchurch firms in the list one could not be located. The Sun representative made inquiries concerning ethers. Thivo of these traded resnectivcly in hardware, soft goods, and stationery. In all cases indignant denial was given to the suggestion that they had agreed to act as agents, or had previously ever heard of “The World Market” en - any organisation connected with it, and were not likely ever to be concerned with the Austrian project. In the remaining instance the principal of flic firm mentioned died about two years ago, and his executor denied any knowledge of tho affair. Tho mere fact that those responsible for “The World’s Market” appear to have picked its agents for receipt of subscriptions without consulting them makes ot apparent that the move is only a blind, said a representative of one of the alleged agents. His firm were not trading with Germany or Austria, but one merchant, who was in communication with Germany, had told him that, as Germany was down and out for many years, he did not consider it unpatriotic to take German goods; that it meant reduction in the cost of goods to the public, for there was no doubt that some of the British concerns had been indulging in profiteering.