1919-10-25 — Page 3

11

BRITISH TRADE ABROAD.-

A ›STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL—— DUTIES OF DIPLOMATS

11

AND CONSULS.

:

Y-BIR ARTHUR: STEEL-MALTLANDS, RICENTLY

„ŞMAN (BIERTOR OVERSEAS TRADE:)

One of the clearest lessons whic's the war has enforced is the need for the re- habilitation of our own, economic life, and for an accurate knowledge of "that of others, both in their pdicts of strength and of wenkness. Such knowledge will be essential for the prosecution of any future Armageddon (which Heaven for fend). It will be equally necessary for its prevention under any machinery that the Eeague of Nations may dewise. Whe ther fag peace or for war, therefore, the re-establishment of our foreign tende is essential to the welfare of the country and the institution of an adequate Con

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25TH, 1918.

THE ROAD TO RUIN.

BRITISH INDUSTRY'S TREND.

hoped that this will not be the case. It would be monstrous if the outcome of common sacrifices with the United States

The Fortnightly Review for September in war were to be mutual antagonism in

contains an arresting article upon the commerce. The two countries ought to work together. There should be as mere present industrial position of Great competition of British. versas. American Britain. In a series of comparisons be enterprise. It is of course, difficult to tween conditions in this country and devise any general farms that such co- those in the United States of America operation should take when practical and Japan it seeks to show that the renno- propositions, have to be taken in hand. mic foundations of Great Britain are But the endeavour has clearly to be made.rapidly being undermined, and suggeste So much may be taken for granted. But that only when they have experienced even so the contemplation of such co hard times will the working masses learn operation is a reason for, and not against, the necessity of intensive production and the British side of any such partnership thrift. Extracts from the article are being as well organized and as effectiva as possible.

COMMERCE AND POLITICE.

appended:

30

LORD FISHER AND THE FLEET.

OBSOLETE IN A FEW YEARS.

Lord Fisher returned to the charge on the question of naval economy with the following further letter to the Timer on September 4th.

SIR. This letter is not to atgue with your leading article of September 2nd. (It's only d-d fools who argue-).

Neyer contradict Never explain. Never apologise..

Those are, the secrets of a happy life!), but I am glad to see the Admiralty have perfected all their economies, as below my letter, in your kindly insertion of it. I Great Britain has lost her industrial perceive a very remarkable official memo- paramountey not much owing to natural causes as to the action of men. randum by the Admiralty to the Fleet It is now a commonplace that every important piece of foreign business "hax

The United States have overtaken Eng showing how they have time to attend to What land in the race for success, not bécause the minutest detail of battle! Like the or may have a political bearing. was ofvious in the case of the Baghdad of their great natural resources those of elephant's trunk-cne moment picking up railway

project was equally No apo obvious. in the case of y true, it less the British Empire are probably larger a-pin, the next rooting up an oak:

the orange trade.

than: thow of the United States-but be 1-Full dress is only to be worn by the Political and commercial relations because the American workers produce us officers of the Fleet at his Majesty's Levee. tween two countries always act and react.much as possible with the most modern suppose this will be cancelled when political feeling is friendly, it is the processes, while the British workers have President Smillie comes along and easier to obtain favourable adjustments become hostile to progres, and to efficient make the sixteenth new Republic)

2.With No. Q of commercial matters. If the commer",

dress (ball dress), the in considerable. its political influence will also be increased. Te may be that, as in the case of Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, political good will be and England, before the war

Sula and Commercial Diplomatic Service will be of the first importance. logy, therefore, is needed for an analysis of the trade conditions which will-or at lenst which ought to-determine the nature of those services, or for a descrip-

Wa

tion of the form which a sound reform of †cial influence of one country with production, and endeavour to produce a mess jacket, is to be worn instead of the |

the services should take.

.8

DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE WAR. British, traders and manufacturers were faced before the war with growing com

did not

little as possible. A few decade ago, when England was the workshop of the world, the average industrial worker in Great Britain produced probably as much na three American workers. Now the

tail cont!

and two millions a day more than ear So thank God the weight of the war income, is lifted off our minds, and wo can waltz with a light heart (Or, is it

"Jazz")

petition. They must be prepared now for tween to maintain for England average American worker prödaces about actions about cocked hats and gold-

an increased intensity.

It would be a

in Italian foreign as much as do three Englishmen.

foolish under-estimate of German capacity her leading position win more than

to believe that their war paralysis

it is last long and when past

thas, the process of cor

found

ably developed.

it will

in

Lesser concerns have through stress been forced to amalgamate the Wi-War conditions.

KTOUPS. indus- The

as in the chemical and

tries, have Great banks

drawn closer

have

Capital and their

their

enlarged paid-up

trade.

ing cons

counter-balanced by the zeographical and other well-known factors that supervened. This case forms, "therefore, exception. to the rule and indeed the political in- fluence in

which German coramerce WH

able to exert is a strik This inseparability of foreign com- fully recognized in merce and

politics puted by law persons, except theorists without practical knowledge. The

corol

of it

Sir. there follow twelve specifie

Inced trousers and midshipmen's jackets ! Give pence in our time, O Lord! if this indicates the minds of those whose hearts should be filled with the internal comb out that another story?

engine

and war hippopo- Sir.. I tell you again with emphasis, the present Nay is obsolete for a war a few

hence!

the moner Yours,

3rd..

"The incredible progress of all the Ameriaan industries is due to very high and constantly increasing output per man, which compares with a stag nant, or even a declining output per worker in Great Britain. The following Agures are ominous and they are, antami” (but fortunately, characteristio of the indu trial position in general in Great Britain and in the United States;

Coal production per year per worker

Eniter Kidom. U.S.A.

Toas.

Toca. 312

juar well be even rdinating influence Germany, and in England it will be dis

employed: ger than formerly. stronger It remains to be seen whether the pro- posed central institutions for buying rav Zaaterials will come into active existence.

TAW

Average.

A

1893-1900

that our commercial and political broad must work in the closest In any case. it is likely that the organiza-operation. each having freely at his 1885-90 tion of German competition will be more than close and systematic after the war before.

in

the information of the other. And lastly, the British Arabassador or Minister must unite in his own person responsibility for both sides of the work. Utherwise proper justice cannot be done

to either..

A VARYING PROBLEM,

1908-1910 1915.

400

298

494

875 2:26

YA

ript:

Can't your trust me?

4-WAR

FISHER

wrong about the water-tube when the whole expert world was

me?

against me I wrong about the turbine when I put it in, the Dreadnought-when only before in a penny steamer, and the experts called it a box of tricks"?

1.-Was I wrong about the battle- cruiser that sank Von Spee and all his fleet-with prodigious speed and the big

596 770 The British industries and British trade ara threatened not only by the extraordinary efficiency of very highly paid American labour, but also by the From the business point of view coun- great and rapidly growing ability of low

-Was I wrong about the submarine--- representative there is a corresponding statement which was published by the

Board of Trade Labour Gosette in July, when seven months before the war variation in each case in the comparative different duties. Rportance of their

the following average wages were described the sinking of the Lusitania by idin

an engineering works at Yoko-the Germans! Broadly speaking, countries may be divid

in ed into two main classes, those which are are

5.—Was I wrong to bring the Fleet 1918: our competitors in neutral markets, and Pattern-makers, ordinary 31d. per hour, from the Mediterranean to the North Sea British enterprise best men old carpenters, ordinary 3d, in humble imitation of Nelson, who said those which it is hopedeveloping. To the best men sid.; moulders. ordinary id...your battle-ground should be your drilk may take the lead in

Germary. Franice the best met first class belong

bama

ground?

New competitors have also entered the field. The United States have openly announced their intention of doing so. The activity of the National City Bank, with its newly-opened branches overseas. extension of the not stand alone

of the Americans, Mercantile Irving Na

National Book and others.

the

That they same direction. point in will be a serious factor is undeniable. Competition from Japan is also likely least as serious in some regions In the near future 43 that from the

machinists and fitters, United States. As far west as India, the Persian Gulf, and Egypt. and as far east United States, and Belgium. To the latcrdinary 3d, best men sid boiler

the South American Repablics, Rusmakers, ordinary 33d., best men. 54d: the West coast of South America. Japanese trade, has been making its way, sia, and China. It must not, of course, blacksmiths, ordinary 4d, best men 611

forgotten that those by

which Countries the war. It is organized muc are now our competitors in developing or the same lines as the German a new lands are also themselves among our United States and Japan

To the dangerous compet of the Lord

be joined dvibest customers for manufactured goods, that of Germany. That country can pay after the war Japan will have tage of

capital as contrasted European nations. Last-

Last- They must not, therefore be regarded the huge indemnity imposed upon it only the point of view of competitors in the form of exports. The terms of the 1y,

Kreat activity must be expected from rou

"only Peace compel Germany to develop her Home of the lesser

partiality developed and therefore still export trade to the utmost. Besides, she uch as Holland, Deuropean countries. and Sweden

form a proper seld for British endeavour, must do so in order to be able to import while an impetus to internal industrial

though.. at the same time, they are com- the foreign raw materials and food which development has been given by the war to

she requires. Her exports will to some such countries as Spain, Argentina, and petitors with us themselves in some mar

kets or in some commodities. Instances extent be promoted by the great depre of countries arC

Italy, and oiation in the German currency. The

exceedingly gloomy.

Brazil

much

ter the

GERMAN COMPETITION.

In Great Britain one of the results of within the Ritish Empire), Canada. outlook for the British ladastrica is

the war has been to create a consciousness

of the problems of foreign trade which

While. however, nations differ

in

in general did not previously exist. It is their degree of development, yet the

realized that organized

broad distinction should always be borne from in mind of the competitor that develops

effort is national

although as may be exhat and of the area or country that is .de

needed, althoug markedly

ถ

nation

tradition, the efforts so far made

Buch ove

Of bonization are partial and

halting;

Danks

tions among the great clearice in

have comparatively little

veloped.

*

As has

Thuring the six months January-July 1919, wages in general in Great Britain) bare increased on

an average by s. 3d. per week. Coal miners wages have in- creased by a little more than 10s. per week. On an average there has been a re duction of fully seven hours per worker per week. In the transport oorvice and the making of pig-iron the reduction amounts to twelve hours and in the making of iron and steel to fteen hours

per week.

6-Did the Flees at Scapa Flow on August 4th.. 1814 win the war or not? Every vessel of the line of battle that was there was conceived when I was First Sea

aay with St. Paul. I bozat myself_a

glory after the flesh.

little he was compelled, so am I? I

glory also

to a certain point I suffer fools gladly, but I am trustee to an estate that's only going to bave 35. 4d in the pound left. It's time to kick!

The Timer takes two days to get where I am! This is by return of post.

September 3rd.”

JA IRELA.

PROGRAMME OF GLASGOW

SOVIET.

COPY FROM SPARTACISTS.

Among the revolutionary documenta recently seized in Glasgow and placed in the possession of the Home Secretary was the following:

"PROGRAMME OF THE CLYDE' WORKZES' " SOVIET COMMITTEE.

1.--The disarming of all non-proletar

15

Certain kinds of information are, of course, required in all cases. of these truths, the formation and

been said, our competitors yet import history of the British Trade Corporation is a good illustration. Recent amalgama-large quantities of British manufactures. Kaowledge, therefore, is everywhere acces- banks

sary of changes in the Customs tariff. in Customs or shipping regulations, and Extensions of British this connexion.

in the law affecting patents and trade- banks overseas, however, are

healthy the

At no time in English history have the marks. Legislation affecting company law, the sign. In making extensions

OF conduct of industry or development working men been better off. At no time great English banks have shown some

in labour conditions are also of general have they spent money as lavishly on in soldiers. but not much co-operation inter se and

moment. In the one class of country they luxuries of every kind as they do at 2.The seizure of arms and ammuni- there is no sign that

with referre agreed upon

act the field of development for Bripresent. The explanation of this appartion by the Workers' and 'Soldiers' to foreig any policy

reference to

tish commerce and enterprise, and, in the ent miracle is an easy one. The work Councila. Such movement. however, as has tride.

other, the economic capacity of our com- is somewhat chaotic, taken mood, and it is to be hoped that

even if on

petitors.

Though certain aspects, however, are azreement may an inercusing measure of

common to both classes of countries, yet I both in policy and in action. reached It is among manufacturers, as

B might

the place of the present brutal and degrad-

work has to be adjusted according super-abundance of paper money and by in the rank and file: be naturally expected, thas combination of

Jy In the case of countries which are taxing the owners of property for the ed has most developed. It is they who ar

supposed benefit of the workers. the free to feel or anticipate the pressure from organized foreign competition. Moreover, the control of the Ministry of Munitions, much as

it may have been dis liked

and the pressure of war conditions. have broken down some of the old secre tiveness, and have induced a greater will. ingness to co-operate, which

which in some enses is developing into actual combination.

to the

be

ing men have been able to spend moré than they earned by the complacency of the Government, which has provided for

It is pointed out that against an issue

there

The arming of the entire labour population as a Red Army,

4.-Voluntary discipline of the soldiers slavery. All superiors to be nominat Abolition of courts martial. our rivals in the markets of the world, the close organization of industry is an

Nomination of authorized repre essential feature of systematic competi of currency notes which, on June 25th,sentatives of the Soldiers' and Workers' tion. It is therefore requisite to know. 1918, amounted to £342,309,770,

Councils for all political organs,

6. Creation of a Revolutionary. Tri- nature and extent of industrial de exited a cover of only £8,500,000 in coinbunal to try the men chiefly responsible the velopments, whether in the way of kartels and bullion. or combinations of firms engaged in simi- The idea that capital is immovable and for the harsh treatment accorded our lar processes of production, or of firms therefore helpless is, of course, quite comrades now in prison; and of political engaged in successive processes, and of erroneous.

There is no danger Immediate seizure of all means of or cientific develop that the immovable property of Englandance to secure success to the Be inventions or any new Such a process of concentration is going

ments. The

size and nature of such industry, and

at the present moment in the electrica and it is only by such a process

arrangements is of importance, and the will disappear, but there is a great daa extent which that there is a hope of British firms beina

the whole of that section or that the able men who create and who in the country is brought constantly renew the wealth of the nation strong enough and

of the it whether in looser or closer ou will migrate to other countries. and complete enough to face- Germany Petition of the AE.G. in.

bination The developments-in-the-elec or the General Electric Com

trical industry in Similar movements though very Germany is caly one, are proceeding in the world of heavy iron and steel. In lower industries, while co- operation has not progressed

tendency ta look kindly on the shes, from the point sible to bring out new companies are of ing yndicate,

considerable

Yet mo moment.

more impor of view of foreign trade, are a good de

tarit are the developments which are like velopment Considerable interest has ly to continue in. the way of extensions lso been attached to the Larmation of the and amalgamations of banks in their gration of British Industries. Los eonnection with industries, and in the

lations of industries. indred,

to anting to little more

pany of America,

together,

&-Bemoval of Parliament and muni- cipal councils, to be taken over by the Revolutionary Council.

9.-Abolition of all class distinction titles and

and orders; social equality of the

avoid unemployment and to conform to 10-Reduction of working hours to the limitation of the working day to siz hours and minimum wage of seven

per working week.

BeXch. and important. Lastly, the relations between manufac instance of the industrial combinations turers and merchants should be constant which have to be carefully followed.

ly reviewed, as also the methods by which the merchants do business and the condi. The methods

anancial houses to them.

there is a formation of common sell tinestions of finance are equally per-

mutual than

im

by which it is pos- tions and extent of the credit given by nonfiscation of all Crown estates':

ement societies, have long existed, close watch mit be kept should be clearly distinguished. To

12

In those countries, on the other hand, and revenues, which will become common of a feld for British commerce and eater-

which are being developed the problem property. prise is predominant. In such a case other debte

12-Annulment of State debts and there are three directions in which de 13-Expropriation of all land and important new under velopment can take place. They are all properties, funds and other securities important, but are quite different and now in possession of the ruling and non- on the whole of the

classes side of the is the sale, by transport

proletarist direct, effort, if first H

14-Expropriation of all banks, mines. Ar it will be able to predividual firms is

in harmonix-tered b German export trade was made goods, from a biscuit to a battle industrial and commercial establishments

aferen. by # regular system of preferen

The second is

is the institution, of by the Revolutionary Committee. tial rates by rail and steamers The fart local enterprises under British lender

15.-The Republican Committee to take in the development of over all means of communication, traffic, coked and with Isitly legitimate: Not so

of raw materials,

Q

have as a rulo been very ineffective.

Federation goes farther, but how.

ng the jealousies of

as yet uncertain. Its success in this rea-

pot in

It may of to be

is well known, and the policy was per: ship.

WAS

reason, what will be the normal condition legitima Well-known nor

the potent country and means-of-transport-

practice of source of forming a combination with British ther animal,

of altairs in international trade, when the shipping companies which included an aptiff recently, in any public or official transition period is passed.

or mineral. Up

•

!

LONG LIVE THE EXVOLUTION AND THE RED 'ARMY OF BRITAIN, This document, which is said to have

Are we proved schedule of freights, and then of consideration of the problem, almost ex

look forward to a period of acute and almost hostile competition, not only with Germans, but also with Alllga, such as the United States? It may be devoutly

azblo.

going behind the agreement when pos clusive stress has been laid upon the first been widely circulated, was accompanied of these three lines of development. But by a letter from the London, Workers' the others are equally, important.

Committee.

1.

* (Vontinged “as foot-od-mestico/simmm.)

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