GERMANY

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 10, 1 July 1900, Page 84

GERMANY

Me. GUstrell, Commercial Attache at Berliu, has given some convincing figures in his late report on the economic position of Germany. They show the gigantic strides taken of late years in securing a substantial share of the world's trade. He compares the volume of commerce in 1892 with that of 1899, and deals with what he calls " special " trade, viz., imports for home consumption and exports of domestic produce. In 1872 the special imports total £163,000,000, and the special exports £116,000,000, in 1899 imports 259,000,000, exports 199,571,000, showing an increase of £96,000,000 in the imports and £36,571,000 in the exports. With regard to industries, he briefly states that the quantity and value of imported raw materials for local manufacture and the export of manufactured articles steadily iucrease. The actual tonnage of German shipping stands second in the world. His conclusion is that there are three obstacles

to prevent; a, continuance of this rapid iucrease, scarcity of labour, difficulty of farther opening up of foreign markets, and want of available capital. The record is a good one, and goes to prove that the brand *• Made in Germany," ouce almost a reproach, is now very much the reverse,