369
96
BRITONS V. GERMANS IN CHINA
age of the disabilities under which the German importers are now labouring. Our trade will then be placed on a sounder basis, and, after the war, we can present an united front to any attempts made to wrest it from us.
There will be more time to devote to these matters after peace is declared. What we are more concerned about now is to mark time without great loss of position in trade, and avoid repetitions of previous
errors.
Our banks must not, and will in all probability not be inclined to, give such facilities to German firms as they have done in the past. Our Consuls and Trade Commissioners would do well not to spend time in preparing reports which magnify our failings, without ever giving a word of praise or
encouragement where such
to
BRITONS V. GERMANS IN CHINA 97
is deserved. They would do better follow and adopt more closely the methods of the Trade Commis- sioners of the Australian States. These gentlemen travel abroad with full and com- plete knowledge of what their State can supply. They carry a list of reliable mer- chants and manufacturers in their States, and personally arrange for business con- nections and representations abroad, satisfy- ing themselves at the same time as to the standing and ability of the firms they appoint abroad to take care of the handling of the products of their States.
Residents in our colonies often feel that the old folks at home do not take sufficient interest in our wonderful Empire. The Germans as a people were much bet- ter informed about their Colonial affairs than the average Englishman. Of course a Colonial Empire was more of a novelty to