fj z DOCUMENTS DEPT. t ^^7 BRITISH TRADE AFTER THE WAR (2). SUMMARIES OF THE EVIDENCE TAKEN BY A SUB-COM- MITTEE OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE BOARD OP TRADE ON COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE COURSE OP THEIR ENQUIRY WITH RESPECT TO MEASURES FOR SECURING THE POSITION, AFTER THE WAR, OF CERTAIN BRANCHES OP BRITISH INDUSTRY. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper Cd. 8181, of 1916]. Q()r. ^'i- ■ 6^2*^1-^ t^ tU-M^. >vt^KU^v.A^Jrior to the war, the supply " of timber is not a trouble, and is not likely to be." Mr. Matthew agrees, but states that if there is any restriction of imports of foreign timber either by total or partial prohibition or by a tariff, the Government should take steps in regard to arboriculture.] Amendment of existing Law. The Association's witnesses advocated the imposition of a permanent import duty of 15 per cent, on all foreign-made goods. [The general opinion of the Bi-ush Trade, taken subsequent to the meeting of the witnesses with Ove Sub-Committee, was, however, that a duty of 33,^ 2^6^ cent, would be the minimum likely to he of any use.] A stamp showing the country of origin should be impressed in legible letters on all foreign-made goods, not only upon the boxes and labels, but upon each article. Brushes made in the German Empire should be stamped "Made in Germany," and expressions such as " Made in Bavaria " or " Made in Saxony " should not be allowed to be used. Prosecution, in cases of infringement of the Merchandise Marks Acts, should be undertaken by the Government, and not left to individuals : the expenses of a prosecution amount to 701. or SOL and only three guineas cosis are allowed, with perhaps a ten-guinea fine. The Board of Trade are not very willing to move imless they have a cast-iron case, and in practice you never get a cast-iron case, so that they BRUSHES. i never do anything. There are many provisions of the Merchandise Maries Acts that can be ignored with impunity, bscaiise the Government do not move actively enough. Mr. Saunders. — Every brush manufactured in Germany or Austria-Hungary shotild bear a stamp of its origin — the branding of packing cases and cards should not be deemed sufficient. Improvement of Transport Facilities. The Association. — An investigation should be instituted of the preferential rates given by our railways to imported foreign goods. Financial Assistance, &c. The Association. — Financial assistance through individual trust companies is not considered desirable unless it goes so far as financing a scheme for the benefit of the whole brush trade of England. It should })e stipidated that a certain proportion of loans to foreign countries should be spent in this country. Proceeds of local loans should also be spent here. The War Office have bought millions of brushes from abroad. Promotion of Trade Fairs and E-xhihitions. The Association. — These are already sufficiently organised by^the trade. Protection of British Trade Marks Abroad. The Association, — It would be an advantage if British Consuls were British men in all cases. General. The Association. — Government committees should be composed of practical business men, personally conversant with commercial affairs. The only, solution of the difficulties arising from the competition with Germany and Austria-Hungary is the imposition of import duties on goods from those countries. Import duties would also assist the brush manufacturers to maintain developments undertaken in consequence of present conditions, and the knowledge that such protection would be afforded after the war would encourage them to do more than they are at i^resent justified in doing to develop that section of the trade previously held by Germany and Austria. Mr. Kent thinks that, generally speaking, there were more people employed in brush making in the United Kingdom in July 1914 than 20 years previously. If employers were given greater freedom, and trade unions were more reasonable as regards subdivision and organisation of labour and introduction of machinery, a great deal could be done in the bnish trade in this country. Mr. Saunders. — During the last twenty years the trade has undergone a complete change, Continental brush makers, well supported by their governments, having adopted machinery. Hence Germany and Austria have captured the English and Colonial markets. Many nianiifacturers in Birmingham, London, &c., who, 20 years ago, employed from 20 to 30 hands in the drawn brush trade now employ one or two only, and in some cases none. Many makers have been kept from adopting machinery owing to War Office and Admiralty contracts having for a long period excluded inachine-made goods. Well-organised central factories, with large plants of modern machinery, can compete with continental manufacturers, but small makers cannot. If the latter would take up responsibility in central factories, as is done at Nuremberg, there would be a great future for the Inrush trade in" this country and her Colonies. Trading in piassava from the West Coast of Africa, and palmyra fibre from Ceylon, should be fostered here in preference to Hamburg. Mr. Mattheio. — Piassava (palm fibre) comes ver}- largely from Liberia. That country was originally developed by English firms and an English bank. A year or two ago the Woermann Line (German) went there and made arrangements for securing the output of the whole country for German importers. For about a year before tlie outbreak of the war all the fibre was sent to Hamburg, and Bj'itish firms had to buy there. The price to British brush-makers consequently rose by about one hundred per cent. Since the war the fibre has again been brought to Liverpool and there is an opportunity for British traders to get control again. In order, however, to take proper advantage of this opportunity, imited action would be required on the part of the British brush trade, and it is difficiUt to get British manufacturers to see A 3 6 SUMMARIES OF EVIDENCE IN RESPECT OF EACH BRANCH OF TRADE : the advantage of cohesion. The bristle market was gradually being concentrated in Leipzig. The Germans bought the bristles from Russia, financed the Russian dressers, and sent the stock to Leipzig. Mr. Matthew thinks that the shortage of the Ceylon palm fibre is principally due to the substitution of rubber and tea production for fibre production. (2)— China and Earthenware (other than Building and Drainage Earthenware). A memorandum was furnished by Mr. R. Shenton, of Messrs. Wedgwood & Co.j Ltd., Tunstall. Evidence was also given by Mr. Shenton before the Sub-Cominittee. Scientific Research. — Sound scientific research would very materially benefit the Staffordshire Potteries. Good work is being done by the Pottery College at Stoke-on- Trent, but is restricted by lack of funds. Local manufacturers, convinced of the necessity of research work in various directions, particularlj'^ in that of ascertaining the composition of German and Austrian porcelain, have already asked for a Government grant, more especially for the purpose of erecting an experimental factory. Lnmense quantities of transparent porcelain are es,ported from Germany alone, and great advantage would accrue to the Staffordshire district if this type of goods could be produced there. Amendment of existing Law. — It would be a great advantage if, after the war, German manufacturers were compelled to mark each article, under the glaze, with the words " Made in Germany." ' Improvement of Transport Facilities. — German potters have been greatly assisted by their Government-subsidised rates of carriage. Cheap and rapid transport is of the greatest importance, and until something is done to give manufacturers cheap rates, and prompt forwarding of goods, we shall be at a disadvantage in competing with Germany for the trade of the world. German manufacturers get lower rates on goods for export than on goods for internal use. Canal freights are higher here than in Germany. Financial Assistance, (£c.-— Capital and credit are granted to German manu- facturers by German banks under Government control, more freely than they are granted to English manufacturers by English banks, especially now that the old- fashioned banks iu provincial towns are disappearing. Hence the German manu- facturer is in a better position than his English competitor to develop his business and to give long credit to his customers. When loans are issued to foreign covmtries care should be taken to prevent the money being applied to objects detrimental to British trade. Promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. — Local fairs held for two consecutive years, and the Board of Trade Fair, have helped the trade of the district very mate- rially. It would not be difficult to organise fairs for the whole of the kingdom that would rival or even surpass those lield in Leipzig. London is the proper place for holding the fair ; no great importance is now attached to the local ones. Protection of British Trade Marks Abroad. — The potting industry would benefit by increased protection of trade marks. British trade marks are looked upon abroad as guarantees of excellence of quality. When, as frequently happens, these marks are copied by German manufacturers, inferior goods are foisted on the buyers, wlio thus form an erroneous conception of the quality of British goods. German trade consequently benefits at the expense of English trade. Our consuls could, by making use of their opportunities for observation and inquir^'^, materially assist in stamping out this unfair competition. General. — More care might with advantage be exercised by Patent Office examiners to ascertain whether a pattern or shape offered for registration has been " anticipated." Since the outbreak of the war pottery manufacturers have spent large sums of money in adding new plant and adapting their conditions to the capture of enemy trade. The money so spent will be wasted if, after the war, the unrestricted importation of German goods continues, \n Germany the factories are not, as here, crowded in CHINA AND EARTHENWARE. ' 7 populous districts, but are situated in rural localities where tlie costs of building, rates' Avater supply, fuel, &c. are very low, and water power is often available. Moreover, in Germanj' in winter it is possible to make use of surplus labour employed during the summer in agriculture. Furthermore, the German manufacturer is allowed by his Government to avail himself of home and child labour. The British Government cannot change these conditions, but they can, bj^ suitable action, neutralise, to a great extent, the effects. German pottery makers usually have three prices — the highest for the domestic trade, the next for those export markets where a reasonable price can be obtained, and the lowest for those outside markets where keen competition is met. If, after the war, this country and its dependencies are not again to be deluged by cheap German goods, something must be done to render less formidable the conditions operating against us. The most efficient method would be the imposition of a tariff. Failing this, the following plan is suggested : each consignment of goods from Germany and Austria to this country shoidd be accompanied by a declaration by the manufacturer of the goods, or his agent, to the effect that they are not sold at a lower price than would be obtained for them in the domestic market. This declaration should be sworn before a British consul of British nationality. The consul should verify the declaration by reference to the manufacturer's books, and any attempt to evade the conditions imposed shoidd be punished by confiscation of the goods. In Germany wages in the pottery trade are lower by about 25 per cent, than here, and hours of labour are longer. Reference is made to the iise, in the United Kingdom, of foreign china and earthenware in hotels having an Austrian or German manager ; and also to the circumstance that British firms have been obliged to discontinue using the Royal coat-of-arms as a trade mark, while their foreign competitors are able to go on using it. . (3)— Building and Drainage Earthenware. A memorandum was furnished by Mr. J. Johnston Green, Secretary to the Potters Association, Liverpool Road, Southport. Scientific Research. — We can compete with any country so far as quality goes. Amendment of existing Laxo. — After the war there will, no doubt, be preferential treatment of British goods in allied coimtries. It will then be necessary to protect the mark " Made in England " from infringement. Goods which are wrongly marked, or which infringe patents, trade marks, &c., should be confiscated at the port of entry. Improvement of Trans-port Facilities. — Cost of carriage is a most important element, the goods in this trade being of low value in relation to weight. A system such as the German bounty system would enable British manufacturers to compete in markets at present closed to them. Financial Assistance, &c. — A small subsidy would finance companies whose business it would be to sell goods for groups of manufacturers. Promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. — Except under special conditions, exhibitions do not pay the manufacturer. A trade fair, i.e., an exhibition confined to one trade, is another thing, as it attracts buyers interested in that particular trade. Trade fairs are especially of service if they can be moved from centre to centre without much cost. General.— In the export trade, calling on buyers is the only way to build up trade. United action, with travellers representing a trade group, and, if possible, sample exhibits, would capture more business than any other method. (4) -Cutlery. Memoranda were furnished by Mr. N. H. Deakin, Acting-Secretary to the Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers' Association, and by Mr. G. H. Street, of Messrs. J. McClory and Son, Limited, Sheffield. Evidence was given before the Sub-Committee by Mr. Walter Tyzack, Vice- President of the Association, A i 8 SUMMARIES OF EVIDENCE IN RESPECT OF EACH BRANCH OF TRADE * Scientific Beseareh. The Association. — It is not thought necessary to ask for any special assistance from the Government other than liberal assistance to the Sheffield University. Mr, Street gives the following illustrations of the success attending scientific research in Germany : — Some time ago, Sheifield largely used " dyed stag." A German, wishing to ascertain the process, sent a sample to Leipzig, where experiments Avere made, the method discovered and improved upon, and the ] esult given to Solingen manufacturers. Sheffield now buys " dyed stag " from Germany. In Sheffield, blades are made, then hardened, then tempered down. In Germany, scientists have eliminated a process by making a steel that will only harden to the point required. Amendment of existing Law. The Association. — Manufacturers are anxious to have relief from certain German patent rights and applications for patents, which stand in the way of the introduction of machinery for grinding cutlery. This machinery is especially necessary at the present time, owing to shortage of labour. After the war, too, there will probably be a great market for English manufactures in Russia, but the masses there cannot afford high prices. Hence a class of machine-made goods should be produced for sale at moderate prices. {On this point regarding patent rights some suggestions tending to a solution of the difficulty were made to Mr. Tyzack by Mr. Martin, of the Patent Office, who icas present at the meeting of the Sub-Committee.) Mr. Street refers to evasion of the Merchandise Marks Acts by marking parcels only " Made in Germany," and not the articles. Improvement of Transport Facilities. The Association. — Owing to the high value of Sheffield cutlery in proportion to railway and freight charges, the trade is not much interested. It is, however, a matter of resentment to them that in some cases English shipping rings charge higher rates from English ports than from foreign countries. Mr. Street complains of preferential treatment of foreign goods by British railway companies. Financial Assistance, &c. The Association do not think that any material assistance could be given to the ti'ade by the alteration of the banking system, or by imposing terms on the issue of foreign loans. Promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. The Association. — The Board of Trade Exhibition was a great success, but it was on too small a scale. It should be repeated annually or biennially. Only real manufacturers should be allowed to exhibit, and the public should not be admitted. The exhibition should remain open for at least 14 daj-^s. June or July would probably be the most favourable time. Mr. Street. — Trade Fairs should be managed and controlled by the Board of Trade. Protection of British Trade Marks Abroad. The Association. — It is recognised that the Government can hardly take up the protection of the trade marks of individuals, but if the Board of Trade would officially prosecute in all cases where foreign goods are made up to pass as English, their action would be immensely popular. General. The Association.— The English cutlery trade suffers from the under-declaration of the value of foreign goods exported to the United States or to the British Colonies. The Association would welcome an arrangement under which they would pay the cost of any samples which Trade Commissioners or Consuls were able to obtain, if the samples were accompanied by particulars as to the foreign manufacturers exporting. ■ CDTLERY.' • 9 with a view to verification of the price at which the goods were valued. Reference is made to the better methods and organisation of the Germans, and to the superiority of the German to the Sheffield workman in discipline and education. This superiority is partly attributed to the German Trade Schools. In England the trade has suffered from the resistance of workmen to the introduction of machinery, and from trade union rules as to apprenticeship. It is suggested that a clause should be inserted in contracts, stating that the contract was placed at the rate of wages then ruling, and that contractors, in sending in their tender, should pledge themselves not to go beyond the rates agreed as between the Employers' Associations and the Trade Unions. There is extensive dumping of German goods in the United Kingdom. This dumping could be prevented by confiscating, at the port of entry, goods found to be under- valued. Alternatively, it could be stopped by a tariff, but the tariff must be fairly high, 10, 15, or 20 per cent. Mr. Street. — The decline in the trade is caused by incompetence in management, ignorance of workmen, and mischievous interference by old-fashioned trade union officials. His firm wish to express appreciation of the " magnificent fight " to assist British trade, which is being made by the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade. After the war a slight measure of protection will be needed to foster industries which have been allowed to decline, largely by apathy and neglect on the part of manufacturers. (5) Electrical Apparatus. A memorandum was furnished by the British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association. Evidence was given before the Sub-Committee by Mr. F. R. Davenport, Chairman of the Council of the Association ; Mr. D. N. Dunlop, Secretary to the Association ; and Mr. Broadbent, a member of the staff of the Association. Note. — After the Suh-Committee had adopted its Report, the British Electrical and Allied Manufactrirers' Association furnished detailed Memoranda on certain points dealt with in their evidence. -These Memoranda have heen referred to the special Departmental Committee on the Electrical Trades xchich has heen appointed by the Board of Trade. Scientific Research. — The Association have already submitted their views to the Advisory Council established under the *' Scheme for the Organisation and Development of Scientific and Industrial Research." Amendment of existing Law. — The Association think that the Merchandise Marks Act should be more stringently enforced. Each article imported from Germany should be marked " Made in Germany." Exception is taken to the present letters patent on the ground that the cost is too high, the protection inadeqiiate, and the period of provisional protection too short. The following recomendations are made : — (1) That three classes of patent protection be created : — (a) A short term, or petty patent, for improvements or modifications in . design, without provisional protection, and at a low cost. (b) A long term patent for new inventions. Provisional period of protection to Ije twelve months, and full period to be at least fifteen years, with an option to extend it to twenty-one years by payment of increased fees. (c) A patent for discovery of new principles. The patentee to be pei'mitted to claim reasonable royalties from patentees of apparatus making use of such principle. (2) That an attempt be made to bring about the unification of patent laws within the British Empire. Complaint is made that the deterrent to deliberate and wilful infringement is insufficient, and also that, under the Canadian patent laws, the British manufacturer 10 ROMMARIES OF EVIDENOE IN EESPEOT OF EACH BRANCH OF TRADE : is at a great disadvantage, because, after the lapse of two years, a patent is rendered invalid by the importation of any article made xmder that patent, although the article may be also manufactured within the Dominion. Iviprovement of Transport Facilities. — Complaint is made that British exporters are severely handicapped by the excessive cost of railway and shipping freights as compared with those borne by their foreign competitors. A number of specific cases are quoted in which British rates compare very unfavourably with foreign rates. The cheaper rates prevailing in Germany are attributed to — Preferential transport rates, in Germany, on goods for export. The use on the Continent of large trucks liaving double the capacity of English trucks, and the charging of rates at " per truck " instead of " per ton." The cheap through rates obtained by foreigners. Combination amongst British railway companies to keep up rates. The control by railway companies of British canals, which are throttled with high toll dues, so as to make them useless, while, on the other hand, water transport has been greatly developed in recent years in Germany, Holland and France. In England the exporter is handicapped and the importer favoured. If our canals were properly developed they Avould not only be profitable but would be of immense advantage to the export trade and at the same time relieve the railways of much of the slow traffic. The cost of special sidings to large manufactories is generally extortionate in England. No reduction in rates is made, iti England, for large quantities. The Association recommend : — (1) That the Board of Trade should, as soon as possible, call together a conference of representatives of shipowners, railway companies, and the manufacturing industries to discuss the whole question with a view to co-operation in removing the existing handicaps under which British industries labour when in competition Avith foreign producers. (2) That an impartial department of the Government be set up to exercise the functions of a tribunal for adjusting grievances existing between railway and transport companies and traders, more particularly where it can be shown that the foreigner is benefiting at the expense of British industry. Financial Assistance, &e. — The British manufacturer gets less assistance than the foreign manufacturer from banks and financial houses. Hence there have been carried oiit by German firms, in British Colonies and Dominions, many engineering schemes of considerable magnitude, which could have been equally well undertaken by British firms if the latter could have received similar financial assistance. More- over, there ai'c instances on record {e.g., the Victoria Falls Power Scheme) in which the German electrical industry has been largely financed by British capital. The attitude of British financiers towards home industries is in direct contrast with that of German financiers, who invariably stipulate that the plant and machinery for the undertakings they assist shall be of German manufacture. British municipalities and public bodies might set an example in this respect, and the Local Government Board, when sanctioning loans, might stipulate that British industry should receive preferential treatment. British municipalities should be assured that, in accepting a tender which is not the lowest, they will not be surcharged by the Government auditor. Accepting the lowest tender may mean that tiie contract goes to a foreigner, working imder less restriction as to hours of labour, rates of wages, Factory Acts, &c., than the English contractor. The Association recommend : — (1) That in sanctioning the raising of loans, or taxation, by municipalities or public bodies, for carrying out works of public iitility, the condition be attached that preference must be given to British manufacturers. The amount of preference might, if thought desirable, be limited to, say, 10 per cent., as a check to trade combines. (2) That a similar condition should, if practicable, be attached to Colonial and foreign loans raised in this country, ELECTRICAL APPARATUS. ' 11 Promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. — The Association think that the money spent by the British Government in connection with exhibitions abroad has not greatly benefited British industry, such exhibitions having been held in countries which impose a high import tariff on British goods. They recommend : — (1) That consideration be given to the promotion of trade exhibitions in British Colonies and Dominions, and in countries where the conditions are favourable to British enterprises. (2) That efforts be made to establish an annual trade fair in London corresponding to the great continental trade fairs, and that special facilities for' visiting • the fairs be given to Colonials and to over-seas trade commissioners and other over-seas officials who are in a position to influence British trade abroad. Protection of British Trade Marks Abroad. — The Association make the following recommendations : — (1) A trade mark should, when possible, be stamped or branded on the article itself, and not upon a detachable label. (2) It is desirable to bring about, if possible, some measure of uniformity in regard to the registration of trade marks within the British Empire, and to render it unnecessary to pay a separate and heavy registration fee in each Colony or State in which trade is carried on. General. — Owing to the unusxial demands created by the war in respect of the manufacture of munitions, and other Government work, new machinery has had to be laid down in, and considerable extensions made to, the workshops of the members of the Association. At the conclusion of hostilities, it will be necessary to keep the works fully employed in order to prevent large numbers of men, including returned soldiers, being suddenly thrown out oC employment, and to increase the export trade for the purpose of regaining the balance of trade. Steps must, therefore, be taken to ensure that the country shall not be flooded with imported goods which can be made by British manufacturers. There is, in the opinion of the Council of the Association, only one course possible to secure the satisfactory maintenance of the British electrical engineering and allied industries after the war, namely, the imposition, for a longer or shorter period, of an import tariff on manufactured goods. The following resolution has been adopted by the Council of the Association : — Resolved, that it is the considered opinion of the Council of this Association that the Government should, as soon as possible, proceed to formulate a tariff scheme embodying — (1) An Imperial Customs Union between Great Britain and her overseas Colonies, Dominions and Dependencies, with a view to the adoption at some later period of free trade within the British Empire. (2) A tariff on all goods imported into this country which are such as can be efficiently and economically manufactured in British workshops. (3) That a substantial preference should be given to all goods, whether manufactured or otherwise, imported from any portion of our overseas Empire. (4) That a smaller preference than the foregoing be given to those countries which are now allied with us in defending the right of national existence against the dominating influence of the Central European Powers. (5) That such preference as may be possible, having in view the balance of trade between nations, be given to neutral countries. (6) That the duty imposed on goods of Austrian and German manufacture should be of a highly protective character, not only in Great Britain, but also in the overseas parts of the Empire. The manufacturing industries of this country are of sufficient importance to be represented by a Government Department distinct from the Board of Trade, whose functions are not to encourage but rather to regulate and impose conditions on trade. What is needed is a department which will be sympathetic towards British industry, and will do its utmost to encourage and stimulate its development and 12 SUMMARIES OF EVIDENCE IN RESPECT OF EACH BRANCH OF TRADE : champion its cause against any other department which seeks to impose restrictive conditions. It should also be in a position to act as a tribunal for the settlement or adjustment of differences arising between different sections of industry. The Association recommend : — (1) That the system of Trade Commissioners, which is now in existence in our Dominions, should be extended to the principal foreign countries. (2) That the information supplied by Trade Commissioners, &c., should not be distributed broadcast, but sent only to the trade associations representing , the industry concerned, who would distribute it to the appropriate section. (.S) That a Government Department (a Ministry of Commerce, or Ministry of Industry), independent of the Board of Trade, should be appointed to represent and encourage the development of British industry. (4) That such department might very suitably be the existing Commercial Intelligence Department of the Board of Trade, responsible to a permanent executive committee composed of representatives of all branches of industry, and having sub-committees representing various sections. (5) That a Government inquiry should be instituted to consider the desirability of adopting the system of decimal coinage and the metric system. (6) That if it should be decided, on the evidence submitted, that it would be clearly beneficial to British industry that such systems be adopted, suitable legislation should be framed with a view to their general adoption. Mr. Davenpo]"t suggested that some effort should be made through the Board of Trade to arrange a meeting of traders to educate them to take full advantage of what the Board are doing for them ; and that steps should be taken to establish a Ministry of Commerce or Industry before the war ends. (6) Fancy Leather Goods. A memorandum was furnished by Mr. J. B. Burch, of Messrs. A. Garstin & Co., Ltd., 159, Aldersgate Street, E.C. Evidence was also given by Mr. Burch before the Sub-Committee. Scientifie Research. — Not very material to fancy leather goods manufacturers. Is probably of more importance to leather tanners and dressers, now endeavouring to compete with certain lines of leather hitherto specially finished in Germany. Amendment of existing Law. — Our patent laws need revision. Mr. Burch especially complains that the Patent Office accept patents for articles which are in common use in this country, and are well known to the commercial community. He suggests that, to obviate this, more exhaustive inquiry should be made by the Patent Office before patent rights are granted, and that the trade bodies, especially the Chamber of Commerce, should be taken into consultation. He has been given to understand, by German manufacturers, that they get such protection. Promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. — These are desirable, but only if they are expJoited by a Government Department. The Board of Trade should make some clear pronouncement of its intentions with regard to future exhibitions. At the present time, e.g., circulars are being issued suggesting that " The Industries of the Empire Fair " for 1917 will be supported by the Government. Generally speaking, Mr. Burch is not in favour of the organisation of local fairs by municipalities or by Chambers of Commerce. He thinks, however, tliat in some cases municipalities might take such action. But even then the Board of Trade should be represented. Multiplicity of exhibitions means divided effort, and the people who have taken stands in a private exhibition, and are consequently unable to exhiloit at the Board of Trade exhibition, may be the very people that the Board of Trade want for the sake of the trade of the country. The Board of Trade exhibitions should be for traders only; the public should not be admitted. It is doubtful whether advisory committees would be of much use in connection with them. General. — -There is an insufficient supply of skilled labour. Prior to the war big buyers would not look at British manufactures : German manufacturers offered larger FANCY LEATHER GOODS. 13 • ■ ■ assortments of goods. A tariff of, say, 33^ per cent, is desirable. All that British manufacturers need is a chance, for a few years, of showing the British public and British buyers what the trade could do. Witness would be satisfied with a tariff of 33a per cent., sliding off over a period of five years. There is a difficulty in getting bag-frames. The German nickelled steel does not want nickelling when the article is made up ; the frames made here do. But in this respect we are improving. At the beginning Germany was admitted through lack of enterprise on the part of our manufacturers. German machinery is not better than ours ; we use German machines, but they could easily be made here. It would help the trade to have an arrangement with the Post Office by which small parcels sent to the Continent could be delivei-ed against cash. Complaint is made regarding our trade directories : " Good manu- " facturers, well established, are omitted, and men of straw, who- are not manufacturers, " are included." It was recommended that the Board of Trade should publish trade directories in future. It is desirable to establish, in this country, a Minister of Commerce — not a politician, but a man of commercial experience and ability. (7) Glass Bottles. Memoranda were furnished by Mr. G. E. Alexander, of Messrs. A. Alexander & Co., Limited, 85, Gracechurch Street, E.C. ; and Messrs. Thomas Barron, Limited, Mexboro', near Rotherham. Evidence was also given by Mr. Alexander before the Sub-Committee. {Unless otheTwise stated, the paragraphs below relate to representations made hy Mr. Alexander.) Scientific Research. — There are two matters on which scientific research might be of assistance. The first is with regard to the supply of sand capable of producing white flint glass. Practically the whole of the sand necessary for this glass has to be imported from either Bolland or Fontainebleau in France, as, up to now, adequate supplies of sand, sufficiently free from iron, have not been found in the British Isles ; and the Government might, by co-operation with the trade, find some means of getting over this difficulty. Then there is the question of the supply of potash. This commodity is absolutely essential for the manufacture of some forms of white flint glass, and is largely used in many other forms. Practically the whole of the supply comes from Germany and Axistria, and it would appear extremely desirable that scientific research should be utilised to find what substitutes, if any, can be afforded. Information has been received to the effect that, in America, the difficulty has largely been surmounted, but by what means is not known. Amendment of Existing Law. — Additional protection to the glass bottle industry would be afforded if bottles made by any patented machine were, apart from the question of the country of their origin, to bear some mark indicating the patents under which they were manufactured. There would be no practical difficulty in manufacturing bottles with such a mark. As regards the desirability of marking imported bottles to show the country of their origin, the opinion of manufacturers is divided, some holding that bottles ought not to be so marked, inasmuch as the mark might be held to apply to the contents of the bottle when it is filled. Improvement of Transport Facilities. — There is considerable room for improve- ment. The cost of carriage on such bulky goods as bottles, which require a considerable amount of protective packing to prevent breakage, bears too high a percentage of the cost of goods of such comparatively small value. This particularly applies to small towns off the main lines and intermediate towns on the main lines. The high cost of carriage is also acutely felt in the case of goods sent by sea. German manufacturers are able to deliver bottles in London more cheaply than English manufacturers in the north of Yorkshire can deliver them. The Germans have water carriage as against land carriage, and they get preferential rates from their Government for carrying their goods from their works to the sea. 14 SUMMARIES OF EVIDENCE IN RESPECT OF EACH BRANCH OF TRADE t Messrs. Thomas Barron, Limited. — "J^here is great room for improvement of transport facilities, and we think the rates of carriage should be so arranged that British manufacturers should have an advantage over their foreign competitors. At present the reverse is the case in many districts. Financial Assistance, &c. — There is no doubt that industrial trust companies have been of the greatest possible assistance to Continental (particularly German and Austrian) manufacturers. If the Government lend their assistance in the future, whether by means of an import duty or otherwise, British industrial trust companies will be more readily prepared to afford assistance to British manufacturers, and a large development of trade may be looked for. When loans are made to foreign countries, or to our colonies, there might be some stipulation as to preferential treatment for British goods. Messrs. Thomas Barron, Limited. — Financial assistance would be a great help to many manufacturers. Promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. — Mr. Alexander does not think that this would materially benefit the glass bottle trade. The productions of the various manufacturers in this country are adequately brought to the notice of customers, and vary but little in quality and design. General. — Prior to 1882 the glass bottle industry was held almost entirely by British manufacturers. In that year there was a great strike in the north of England and the trade was seized by Continental — jjarticularly German — manufacturers. Foreign competition then increased up to 1907, when German and Austrian manu- facturers were able to sell bottles, in the British market, at a price with which home manufacturers found it almost impossible to compete. In 1907 an American Company brought out an automatic bottle-making machine known as the " Owens machine," which enabled them to manufacture at a greatly reduced cost. It became obvious to manufacturers in all countries that to continue working they would be obliged to obtain the right to use this machine. The American Company, however, asked 600,000Z. for the patent rights for all countries other than the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and Japan. After much negotiation the rights were acquired by manufacturers in Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, acting collectively. A certain proportion of the necessary capital was raised in each of those countries, the manufacturers of Great Britain forming a company known as the British Association of Glass Bottle Manufacturers, Limited. A central or parent company— the Europdischer Verhand der Flaschenfahriken O.m.h.H. — was formed in Berlin for purposes of administration and control. An arrangement was subsequently made whereby Continental manufacturers were prohibited from selling bottles in this country at a lower price than that fixed, for the time being, by the Association of British Manufacturers. The joint arrangements have, on the whole, worked extremely well ; but Conti- nental manufacturers, by various underhand means, have been enabled to obtain large contracts in this country, ostensibly at the same price and on the same conditions as British manufacturers, but, in effect, at a reduced price. Hence, at the outbreak of the war, the division of trade was much the same as in 1907. Uncertainty of trade conditions, reluctance to scrap old plant, and the circiomstance that the Owens machine is best adapted for making large quantities of one kind of bottle while the British trade is a miscellaneous one, prevented the general use of the Owens machine in this country. On the other hand. Continental manufacturers had their own protected market and a large foreign trade as well. Thus they were enabled to manufacture large quantities of bottles of each sort. The Continental manufacturers were also more progressive in other respects ; consequently, prior to the outbreak of the war, a much greater number of the Owens machines had been installed on the Continent — particularly in Austria and Germany — than in England. At the present time British engineering firms are unable to manufacture the Owens machines, there is great difficulty in getting them from America, and there is a grave shortage of bottles of all kinds. British manufacturers are doing their best to cope with the situation, but being apprehensive that, after the war, their position will be precarious, they are afraid to incur the expenditm-e necessary to modernise their works. GLASS BOTTLES. 15 The best protection that could be afforded theno. would be a tariff oa foreiga-made bottles. Messrs. Thomas Barron, Limited, think that a protective tariff against German and Austrian bottles should be established after the war.-* (8) Glass Ware : Table Glass and Lighting Glass. Memoranda were furnished by Mr. Congreve Jackson, of Messrs. Thos. Webb and Sons, Ltd., Stourbridge ; Mr. J. S. Williams-Thomas of Messrs. Stevens and Williams, Ltd., Brierley Hill Glass Works, Stourbridge ; and Mr. Duncan Webb, of Messrs. Molineaux, Webb & Co., Ltd.,. Kirkbj' Road, Ancoats, Manchester. Evidence was given by Mr. Congreve Jackson before the Sub-Committee. Scientific Research. Mr. Williams-Thomus — Assistance in scientific research is necessary if progress is to be made. Heavy expenditure would probably not be required if action were taken through one of the Universities. The Sheffield University have just started work in glass research. Amendment of existing Law. Mr. Webb. — -All British patents should be worked in Britain, and no articles manufactured abroad for which British letters patent have been granted should (with possible exceptions) be imported. At present compulsory manufacture in this country is only nominal ; the real manfacture is foreign. Improvement of Transport Facilities. Mr. Congreve Jackson, Mr. Williams-Thomas and Mr. Webb. — The system imder which low railway rates are charged on goods imported into this country and higher rates on home manufactures sent into our ports and large cities should be reversed. Mr. Congreve Jackson also suggested preferential shipping rates for English-made goods exported. . •. Financial Assistance, &c. Mr. Congreve Jackson suggests (but only during the war) Government assistance in purchasing raw materials from abroad so that these might be bought in bulk and distributed to the different factories at the lowest cost. Mr. Williams-Thomas. — In granting loans to foreign countries we should make it a condition that goods required should, in return, be purchased here. "Promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. Mr. Williams-Thomas is in favour of exhibitions of the Board of Trade type, but not of those organised by companies for financial profit, including and encouraging retail stalls and entertainments. General. Mr. Coiigreve Jackson. — The table-glass industry of this country has been declining for 60 years. The present number of employees does not exceed 3,000— there should be at least 30,000. The decline is due to many causes, but chiefly to trade union rules, the public demand for cheapness regardless of quality, the severity of factory legislation, and the free importation of foreign mould-formed glass produced in protected countries under labour conditions prohibited in England, and assisted by preferential railway and steamship rates. Manufacturers do not comjjlain so much of • It was suggested in evidence before the Committee that a small duty would be sufficient (say 5 per ceut.), but since the publication of tlie Sub-Committee's Report, Messrs. Thomas Barron, in a letter dated 29tli April 1916, state that they consider that the duty should be 20 or 25 per cent. " if the present high cost for fuel and wages paid to workmen is to be maintained " ; and communications have been received from other firms suggesting that a substantial rate of duty would be necessary. 16 SUMMARIES OF EVIDENCE IN RESPECT OF EACH BRANCH OF TRADE : ' the stringent factory regulations of this country as of the unrestricted importation of foreign glass produced under labour conditions which would not be tolerated in England. In France, Belgium, Germany, and Austria, boys start work at nine years of age, and tliey are employed — particularly in Bohemia — at extremely low wages. Here they may not be employed in glass works until they are 13 (until recently 1-1) years of age, and they are paid at the rate of 12.s-. -14«. per wpek. In continental glass works wages generally are mucli lower, and hours of labour much longer, than in this country. Owing to these conditions and to the fact that our railways do not carry our goods on the German terms, British glass manufacturers will never be able to sell at the German price or anything like it. Manufacturers are now being urged to capture enemy trade. To do this they must expend much capital. But they can offer no security to investors that, after the war, the additional trade obtained under present conditions will be maintained. It is desirable that German and Austrian glass should be entirely excluded for a period of three years after tlie war. Subsequently a duty of 33^ per cent, should be imposed thereon, and the words "Made in Germany" or "Made in Austria" should be indelibly marked on each article. A tariff of 33J per cent, should also be imposed on all foreign table glass with a preference in favour of our allies. Foreign glass should be excluded under all Government contracts, and contracts of public bodies containing the fair wages clause. Efforts should be made to promote the use of English glass in hotels and restaurants. These are, in many cases, managed by ^ foreigners, whose national sympathies and private interests lead them to favour goods made abroad. Mr. Williams-Thomas suggests that duty should be imposed on German and Austrian manufactvires entering this country (or the Empire) after the cessation of hostilities, and that, to be effective, this duty should be prohibitive for a period of five or more years ; unless this is done the efforts now made to capture enemy trade will, in a great measure, be useless. Mr. Wehb states that the decline of glass making is due to restrictions on produc- tion, high wages of labour, and the free admission of foreign goods. He complains that while a clause is inserted in Government and other contracts to the effect that trade union wages shall be paid in this country, contracts are placed with German and other foreign agents without any stipulation as to rates of wages. (9) Glass Ware : Flint and Laboratory Ware. A memorandum was furnished by Mr. F. Wood, Messrs. Wood Brothers' Glass Co., Ltd., Borough Flint Glass Works, Barnsley. Mr. Wood also gave evidence before the Sub-Committee. Scientific Research. — The Institute of Chemistry are doing good pioneer work, and deserve financial support. Promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. — This would be useful two or three years hence, when glass-makers have had time to develop and perfect the experi- mental work, particularly in chemical glass ware. Protection of Trade Marks Abroad.- — Our trade marks should be well protected, both at home and abroad. No difficulty has been found in this respect. General. — The main difficulties in the past — and they will be the same after the war — were labour difficulties : — (a) Wages in England are higher than on the Continent. In France much of the skilled handicraft work is done at home in the workers' spare time, by family labour. No machinery is required, but merely a blow-pipe with foot bellows. In England there are not more than ] 5 or 20 Englishmen who can ariake the complicated chemical, glass ware. The labour cost in that branch of the trade amounts to about 90 per cent, of the total cost. (h) Trade union restrictions : the industry is dominated by trade unions. (c) Scarcity of boy labour. GLASS WARE. 17 A special difficulty at the present time is the responsibility of deciding whether to launch out into new lines in view of the danger of German" and Austrian dumping after the war. Some form of protection is desirable. On optical and chemical glass a duty of from 25 to 30 per cent, would be required for a period of five years. A campaign has been inaugurated to induce societies and academic institutions of all kinds to agree to use only British-made laboratory ware for a period of three years after the war. _ It is understood that about 75 per cent, of the schools, colleges and technical institutions have already consented, subject to the condition that the price shall not be prohibitive. (10) Jewellers' and Silversmiths' Trade. Memoranda were furnished by Mr. George L. Joseph, Vice-Chairman, Birmingham Jewellers' and Silversmiths' Association, and by Mr. J, Bradbury, President of the Master Silversmiths' Association, Sheffield. Evidence was given before the Sub-Committee by Messrs. G. L. Joseph and J. Bradburv. Scientific Research. Mr. Joseph. — Scientific research would be most valuable, especially in connection with metallurgy. Intricate German machines are used for making fine chains. Birmingham firms have been unable to obtain a sufficient supply of these machines, and are unable to work those that they have, without expert foreign help. In some cases the machines were worked by Germans and Austrians now interned. A number of these machines have been sold to Birmingham manu- facturers, but every one of them arrived from Germany in a faulty condition, which prevented it from being worked. English chain-makers are also unable to produce the sj)ecial self-soldering wire necessary for making chains quickly and inexpensively. Scientific research is desirable to assist England to capture the trade in semi- precious stones. Mr. Bradbury. — The work being done in the technical schools in connection with the Sheffield University is of the greatest use, and its extension is hoped for. Government help is not required at present. Amendment of Existing Law. Mr. Joseph. — Birmingham jewellery manufacturers would like to .be able to register their designs at a local office, instead of in London. Trade marks requii-e better protection. The Customs should not allow the importation of goods bearing trade marks in imitation of British marks. As regards the Merchandise Marks Act, large quantities of jewellery and other goods are imported which are described as "rolled gold," "gold plate," "gold cased," &c., but are nothing better than cheap metal, electro-gilt. Mr. Bradbury. — The copyright and registration of designs needs some revision. All electro-plated, nickel silver, brass, and other metal goods, imported from abroad, should bear the name of the country of origin plainly striick upon them. It is possible so to. mark even small articles such as rings. Improvement of Transport Facilities. Mr. Joseph. — The Post Office wiU not accept jewellery and precious stones for transmission by registered letter post to certain countries, e.g., Peru and Ecuador. This is detrimental to trade as articles sent by parcel post take twice as long to reach their destination. Germany sends these goods by registered post, and the Customs authorities of the countries receiving them do not object. Failing the registered post, the insured box service should be available, as it is to certain European countries. Complaint is also made of the postal service to Cuba, Paraguay, &c. An extension of the cash-on-delivery system is desirable. a 944 B 18 SUMMARIES OF EVIDENCE IN EE3PBGT OF EACH BRANCH OF TRADE: Financial Assistance, &c. Mr. Joseph.-— There are huge possibilities of developing trade with Russia if financial facilities be afforded, or manufacturers obtain satisfactory guarantees that they will be able to collect their accounts. Mr. Bradbury. — Many firnaa will require financial assistance after the war.- promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. Mr, Jfiseph expressed the gratitude of his Association for the arrangements rnade by the Board of Trade in connection with the British Industries' Fair, and hope^ the Board will continiie their efforts. Mr. Bradbury. — The promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions under Government auspices is of great assistance. It is hoped that the Board of Trade will hold an exhibition annually. Protection of Trade Marks Abroad. Mr. Bradbury. — The Government should protect the registered trade marks of British firms abroad. Our Consuls might help British firms, who proposed to bring an action in a foreign town for infringement of trade marks, by taking a benevolent interest in the matter and giving advice as to the best lawyers to engage, and so on. Mr. Bradbury strongly emphasised his view that the Government should take steps to stop the abuse of the British silver hall-marks by American and Canadian manu- facturers, and also by manufacturers in other parts of the world. He handed in advertisements of American firms showing how they adopt the hall-marks of the ^British Assay Offices as their trade-marks. The praqtice of applying the hall-marks to electro-plated ware is quite prevalent in the United States ; Canada is " flooded " with plate made in America and bearing these marks, and consequently the Canadian Government cannot prevent (as they would otherwise do) the use of them by manufacturers in Canada. The matter is one which, in Mr. Bradbury's opinion, certainly does need the earnest consideration of MM. Government, General. British banking facilities in various countries, e.g., in Colombia, are inadequate, and banking transactions have to be undertaken by merchant houses — usually German, the British merchant houses being " too slow." One of the chief reasons; for the progress made by the German jewellery trade before the war was the German system of art and technical education and apprentice- ship. A system of enforced apprenticeship and technical education would be good for this country. In Birmingham it is difficult to induce boys to attend art classes even if their fees are paid and they are given time to attend the classes in the afternoon ; and ia the jewellery trade the apprenticeship system has. broken down altogether. The duty charged in certain countries on catalogues is very injurious to trade. Tariff protection should be afforded to those who have invested capital in capturing tyade formerly in German hands. British assay marks on silver are not accepted in Russia, and it is useless for British manufacturers to attempt to do business with that country und^er the present regulations. (11) Paper. A memorandum was furnished by Mr. A. W. Foster^ Secretary to the Paper Makers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland. Evidence w-as given before- the Sub-Committee by Mr. Foster and by Mr. John Melrose Araot, the latter witness, representing the Northern Committee of the Association. Scientific Research. — Assistance in the promotion of scientific research is mosf desirable, e.g.^ in the direction of obtaining substitutes for resin size and aniline dyes; and for paper-coating materials hitherto imported. The Government might well assist in researches connected with special kinds of paper,, such as vegetable parch- ment, grease-proof paper, &c., some part of' the cost being, in these cases, borne" by ::■•.■:,■ , ■)■''■'■: i■^^.• ■; EAPEB.;-: ;•;; ■ 19 the makers specially interested. The establishment of some central institution is desirable, at which manufacturers might obtain, for a moderate fixed fee, scientific analyses, &c. The Manchester Technical School is fully equipped but is not utilised as it might be. It is only a local affair ; it should be a national one. Mr. Arnot stated that, so far as he knew, the Government take no interest in it, and do not help it He admitted, however, that the School is helped indirectly by the Government assistance to modern universities, and that the Government cannot reasonably recognise a school otherwise than by making it part of a university having power to grant technical degrees, and by supporting that university. He thinks that employers in this country have not appreciated the value of technical education, but that, on the other hand, the existence of such an institution as the School has not been sufficiently brought under the notice of the trade by the university. Mr. Foster suggested that a note might be inserted in the " Board of Trade Journal " to the effect, that investigations could be made under the auspices of the Government, or bj' the Manchester Technical School. The Sub-Oommittee suggested that the paper manufactui-ers might appoint an advisory committee, and that the School might thus be brought into closer contact with the trade. Mr. Arnot agreed. Mr. Foster stated that the three centres of the paper-making industry are London, Manchester, and Edinburgh, and expressed the opinion that a school, in London, with Government approval and support, would give the trade what was required. Mr. Arnot suggested, Jiowever, that the efforts of the trade, in mattei's of research, should be concentratedj and at Manchester as the most central place, and because the school there is already fully equipped. . , Amendment of existing Law. — In any revision of the law as to trade marks care should be taken to protect water-marks in paper from imitation or infringement. In cases where copyright is granted to any country subject to certain restrictions, similar restrictions should apply to copyright granted here to citizens of that country. Improvement of Transport Facilities. — Our canal system should be developed and modernised, and our main roads should be improved for motor transport which will increase. Railway companies should be compelled to divide up their through rates from foreign countries, so that railway freights in this country may be clearly shown,, and traders may be enabled to claim like rates for reasonable quantities of goods. Considerable friction is caused by excessive and vexatious charges for demurrage, returned empties, &c. Reference was made to a suspicion that foreign goods imported are sometimes rated by the companies on a classification lower than that applied to British goods of the same kind. Financial Assistance^ &c. — No suggestions oifered. Promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. — The value of the trade fair inaugurated by the Board of Trade is appreciated. The fair should be continued. General. — After the war the trade will again be faced by two of the great difficulties which it encountered in meeting foreign competition in the pre-war period : firstly, dumping ; secondly, competition arising from the prevalence, in certain foreign countries, of unduly low wages and inordinately long hours. The trade looks to the Government to take effective steps to safeguard it against these. In Germany there are several paper cartels ; there is believed to be no international cartel. Before the war there was no price convention amongst British makers. There is now an agreement, but some of the makers are not in it. This agreement relates to prices only, and is compulsory under penalties. It does not control production. It came into existence owing to the rise in cost of materials consequent on the rise in freights, alid it represents about 80 per cent, of the trade. The labour biU, for a particular class of output, is about the same in Germany as in Bury. The German maker is, however, protected in his own market, and German railway companies, shipping companies, pulp makers, and others give him lower prices in connection with goods for export. Pressed on the amount of protection necessary to safeguard the paper-making industry, Mr. Arnot suggested a duty of 15 per cent. There should be a Ministry of Commerce which " should have commercial, and not political, brains." • . ■ , :; B 2 20 SUMMARIES OF EVIDENCE IN RESPECT OF EACH BRANCH OF TRADE (12) Printing Trade. Memoranda were received from Mr. R. J. Lake, Secretary to the Federation of Master Printers and Allied Trades, and from Mr. L. I.acey, Stockport. Evidence was given before the Sab-Committee by Mr. Lake, and by Messrs. W. A. Waterlow, H. Cooke and H. C. Hill, of the Federation of Master Printers. Scientific Research. Mr. Lake. — Government assistance is desirable for the promotion of scientific research in connection with certain printing trade requisites. We partly or wholly depend upon Germany for supplies of gold leaf, gold bronze, red, blue, yellow, and madder lake colours, alizarines, and all aniline colours. These are of great importance to many industries. The Government should not only institute a research department to deal with the scientific side of their production, but should also subsidise or give bounties to encourage production until the industries are established. Germany has done this, and has practically created a monopoly for the benefit of German goods. In the educational colour work the German Government organised a syndicate and went to enormous expense. Leading German experts and artists were over here studying the question for eighteen months, and ended by capturing the trade. The further application of photography to printing offers a favourable field for research. It was formerly thought here that the less Government intervenes in trade the better, but opinion is now veering round to the idea that this was a mistake. German workshop organisation is better than ours. If the converse were the case Germany would take ofiicial action. German employers devote themselves more closely to business than British employers do. Longer hours are worked by German than by British workmen, and the former pay more attention than the latter to their work. Mr. Lake sees that if this state of affairs continues Government assistance might result in the protection of incompetence. He thinks that the trade is alive to that fact, but that it does require more sympathetic assistance from the Government. Mr. Waterlow. — Very great assistance could be given to the printing trade if difficulties arising in coim.ection with colours, paper, or the application of photography to printing and lithography could be submitted to a scientist. [The Sub-Committee pointed out that a scheme of assistance for industrial research has recently been established by the Treasury and the Board of Education.^ Mr. Lacey regards development as vitally necessary both as regards laboratory work and the collation and co-ordination of trading ard industrial facts and statistics. Modern universities should be brought into closer touch with factories. Travelling scientists should be appointed from among university students, or from teaching staffs, and lent to industrial enterprises in turn, large rewards being given for really valuable discoveries. This work could readily be made self-supporting, but it should have the hall-mark of national work. Amendment of existing Law. Mr. Lake. — The English copyright law should be brought into line with that of the United States. At present printed works, to be copyrighted in both countries, have to be produced in the United States for the purpose of copyright there, and consequently have to be manufactured in the United States, wholly or in part, although for sale in this country. Merchandise marks : — a clear indication of the coxmtry of origin should be given on each copy of the printed article, in such way as to be incapable of removal, and plainly visible when the article is offered for sale. " It is not an amendment of the " law that we want — it is an amendment of the administration of the law." Mr. Hill. — -The only way to deal with the copyright question in America is to reciprocate — to give the Americans the same terms as they give us. Mr. Lacey suggested that all trades might have one national emblem, and that if the Allied nations each adopted their own distinctive mark it would help them to identify " friendly " goods. PRINTING TRADE. 21 Improvement of Transport Facilities. Mr. Lake. — There is plenty of room for improvement, particularly in the case of inland transport. At present, carriage direct to London from other parts of the world can be secured at a lower rate than from places in the United Kingdom not very far distant. It has sometimes been found cheaper to ship goods abroad for transmission to this country than to send them direct from one part of the country to another. Railway rates and classifications should be. controlled by some impartial authority, and our system of waterways should be investigated. Mr. Lacey recommends nationalisation of railways and canals. Financial Assistance, &g, Mr. Lake. — Regarding financial assistance, there is a conflict of opinion between the heads of large, well-capitalised businesses and the heads of small, under-capitalised businesses, the former being against and the latter in favour of the granting of such assistance. Mr. Lake thinks that during the last 20 or 30 years there has been a need for banks to study the wishes of businesses and industries which cannot capitalise themselves on a basis of 100,000L or 200,000Z., but which, with a few thousand pounds, might do very good business for the country. Mr. Waterlow. — When loans are granted to foreign countries, it is very advisable that efforts should be made to secure for this country the printing of the bonds. Mr. Lacey. — The conservative banking method must be dropped if British finance is to give the true help it should give in the coming stern trade war. Board of Trade influence would be of priceless value in starting this movement. It would be easy for the Board of Trade to assist the small trader by promoting organisations in each of the Allied countries for the purpose of guaranteeing credit (having the means of ascertaining the risk) and shortening the settlement terms by discounting where necessary. Promotion of Fairs and Exhibitions. Mr. Lake. — Fairs should be under Government organisation ; manufacturers only should be allowed to exhibit, and, as regards the printing trade, foreign manufactured goods should be excluded. Mr. Lacey. — The first British Industries Fair contained the germ of a magnificent idea for trade promotion. The fair " must be Board of Trade." There must be but one. London is the natural centre. There should be a miniature fair — an exhibition of British goods — once a year, in each of the world's capitals, with admission by special invitation. Protection of British Trade Marks Abroad. Mr. Lake suggests the establishment of an international tribunal which would, by one registration, give world-wide protection, or of a system under which the prosequ- tion of claims would be made in the country of the aggrieved party, the loser (or, in case of his bankruptcy, his country) to pay all expenses. Mr. Lacey suggests that in the different countries the principle of reciprocal protection and no more, implying the power of retaliation for proved offences, would be the best solution. General. Mr. Lake. — If the position of the British printer is to be maintained after the war, a tariff should be placed on aU printed matter imported into the country, and the duty should be made specially heavy on pictorial and colour printing produced from British designs. Mr. Waterlow. — The duty on all foreign printed goods should be at least 33^ per cent. Mr. Lake. — More help should be rendered to export trade by our consuls who, in this respect, compare unfavourably with German consuls. Every consul should be British, if a native of this country is available. He should be a commercial nian, or have a commercial department, and in order that he may look properly after commercial interests he should be adequately remunerated. t;The establishment is suggested of a central export bureau, under Government control, from which advice might be obtained as to markets and methods of B 3 22 SUMMARIES OF EVIDENCE IN RESPECT OF EACH BRANCH OF TRADE *. approacliing them. The trade should be allowed to express their Ariews prior to increase of postal rates. Mr. Lacey. —Some form of " protection " is necessary. After the war the Germanic nations will flood the market with goods at cut-throat prices. Human nature is not strong enough to resist the cash bribe. The Germans will use for their purpose naturalised people of enemy origin, and the cosmopolitan element with whom profit always comes first. The German is in desperate case and must " dump." Mr. Lacey refers to the terribly depressing efPect upon traders of their conviction that the German with his unfair methods will be admitted on the old terms, and suggests that the effect, upon pessimists of this sort, of the knowledge that they would be " protected," would be electrical. He suggests that there should be attached to each important consulate a business man to be engaged solely in opening up business, that we might invite foreign Trade Attaches to be our guests, that valuable prizes might be given for essays, &c. upon trade promotion, that the proper study of foreign languages should be encouraged by the State, and that the metric system should be adopted. He urges that German printing and lithography gained much by having the assistance of the greatest German designers, and that the Board of Trade should encourage our ablest artists to produce designs which should be national. Closer association should be established between schools of design and workshops. Mr. Hill laid stress upon the desirability of securing for British printers the work of printing British designs. Mr. Gooke. — German printers are able to produce far better work than English printers in printing bronze of all descriptions, but in ordinary colour printing we can hold our own very well. The large amount of German colour work that comes into this country is of a stock character. In stock work the Germans produce excellent work at a figure that we cannot touch. They send round the world to get orders, and produce in enormous quantities. Apart from stock work we can compete successfully, even in Germany itself. (13) Stationery Trade. Memoranda were furnished by Mr. P. Barringer, Chairman of the Council of the Stationers' Association of the United Kingdom, and by Messrs. Rowney & Co., pencil manufacturers. Evidence was given before the Sub-Committee by Mr. Barringer. I Scientific Research. — The organisation is suggested of a committee to collect and classify samples, from all parts of the world, of articles manufactured from various raw materials, with a view to the study of the samples by manufacturers and workers in such materials. A list of all substitutes for well-known raw materials would be useful. A bureau of consulting scientists might be formed. The adequate production of dyes is specially important to the trade. Amendment of Existing Law. — Tt is desirable that all foreign-made goods imported should be conspicuously and indelibly stamped, or marked, with the country of origin, and that the removal, covering over, or defacement of this mark should not be allowed. No water-marks liable to be mistaken for British marks should be permitted on foreign-made paper imported. At present the Merchandise Marks Act is not a serious measure. A British and Colonial trade marks convention, by which a trade mark, registered in London under convention, would also be valid in all the Colonies, would be of great value. Improvement of Transport Facilities. — This subject requires the careful study of a special committee. Preferential rates for foreign goods on our railways have long been a scandal, and should not be permitted. As an instance of tliis it is stated that the carriage of pianos bought in Berlin and delivered in Beckenham is less than the carriage of pianos from the Midlands to Beckenham. STATIONERY TKADE. 23 Financial Assistance, dec. — Manufacturers entering foreign markets, especially Russian, Chinese and South American, must give very long credits. They would be much assisted by some arrangement for the discounting of time bills. The establish- ment of industrial banks, on the lines of those in Germany, is desirable. Promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. — The Board of Trade Exhibition was a model in every respect. Its success was undoubtedly due to the fact that it was under Government control. The notion of closing the exhibition at 6 o'clock, although not at first popular amongst exhibitors, proved to be an " extraordinarily brainy " one. Protection of British Trade Marks Abroad. — It would be of the highest value if the Board of Trade were to assist manufacturers in adjusting equities in matters of foreign trade disputes. A member of the Association owns a trade mark for fountain pens in Japan. A Japanese holds the same trade mark. Thus two firms are permitted to sell entirely different kinds of fountain pens under the mark " Swan." It would be a costly matter for the member of the Association to take steps to have the Japanese mark expunged, but if there were a system of mutual compromise the matter might be settled by the British and Japanese Boards of Trade. General. — Endeavour should be made to obtain reduction of tariffs on advertising matter accompanying goods imported into the Colonies for sale. Travellers' trading licences, within the Empire, should be preferential as regards British representa- tives. Encouragement should be given to the use of metric weights and measures. Desirability of a convention with the Colonies for the adoption of the metric system. A decimal monetary system would be advantageous, especially to the export trade. Official records of approved certificated translators in foreign languages, and of capable foreign trade consultant experts, woidd be of great value. It is strongly felt that, after the war, the present antagonism to German and Austrian goods will become weakened by attractions of cheapness, as all classes of goods produced in present enemy countries will be " dumped " here, through, or even without, the co-operation of traders in neutral countries. Of late many factories have been equipped here to produce goods formerly imported, and further developments in this direction would be undertaken but for the feeling of insecurity due to fears of unrestricted dumping. This fear would be immediately removed were the Government to formulate and announce some scheme of protection. Complaint is made that buyers belonging to English houses who go over to Germany to purchase goods do not buy the goods strictly on their merits, but are influenced by a desire to keep up these continental trips. If they buy in England they lose a pleasant holiday and the entertainment provided for them by the German export.ers. Messrs. Rowney and Co.'s letter relates mainly to the subject of German and Austrian competition in the pencil-making business prior to the war. They state that at Nuremberg the industry was so nursed by Government support that this one town supplied approximately 60 per cent, of the world's production. They believe that the chief assistance granted by the German Government was given through a law requiring all stationery used in Government offices, municipal offices, schools, and in connection with railways and tramways, to be of German production, and they point out the advantages which woidd accrue to the trade here were a similar regulation in force in this country. They refer to the corruption due to the organised system of lavish entertainment of English buyers in Germany, and to evasion of the Merchandise Marks Act. '> >■ (14) Toys (other than Mechanical). A Memorandum was furnished by Mr. H. S. Dean, of Dean's Rag Book Company, Ltd., iSlewington Butts, S.E. Mr. Dean also gave evidence before the Sub-Committee. Scientific Research.— The German plan of State-aided scientific research could scarcely be improved upon, and the establishment of technical schools, where proper training could be given in the numerous branches of industry which have now sprung up, is essential to the successful prosecution of new imdertakings. Practically no-one B 4 24: SUMMARIES OF EVIDENCE IN RESPECT OF EACH BRANCH OF TRADE : can be got in this country who knows anything about toy-making. When the war broke out the Company were on the point of engaging a German to teach them the business. In Germany there are technical schools with classes which specialise in toy-making ; it would be useful if some of our technical schools could be induced to establish similar classes. Amendment of existing Law. — All articles imported should be indelibly marked with the name of their country of origin. The removal of this mark should be punishable not by fines alone, but by imprisonment of the offender, and confiscation of the goods. Improvement of Transport Facilities. — Much might be done with State assistance, especially in the development of our national waterways. Financial Assistance, &c. — It would be an inestimable boon to British manu- facturers if the system in vogue in Germany of advances through the banks could be adopted here. Promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. — The Company benefited considerably from the British Industries Fair. They are strongly in favour of the continuance of trade fairs and exhibitions under Government control. It is desirable that definite information as to date and place of exhibition should be given as long in advance as possible. Last year's Fair was held rather too late in the year. General. — Our toy trade generally is in jeopardy because of the risk that, directly • the war is over, the cheapest articles will find their way in. German manufacturers employ family or home labour — "sweating to the very highest degree." Hence they can produce more cheaply than we can. Apart from the technical skill required, the only way of meeting German competition is to institute a tariff on all toys imported, with a higher tariff on toys produced wholly or in part by family or home labour. Generally speaking, an expert could distinguish the latter class of toys. If the importation of enemy goods is not prohibited altogether for a period of years after the war, with a tariff of 25 or 30 per cent, the trade could, I think, be held : family or home labour would not then matter. Agents here of German manufacturers work together to subdue the British manufacturers : it is war, not commerce. The adoption of the metric system in this country is a most necessary step, and would be an immense advantage in doing business with foreign countries. Since the war, the British toy-making industry has made great progress. Previously it was practically a German monopoly, except in leaden soldiers and things of that sort, which even Germany was buying from us. (15) Mechanical Toys. A memorandum was .furnished by Mr. F. Hornby, "Meccano, Ltd.," Binns Road, Ijverpool. Mr. Hornby also gave evidence before the Sub-Committee. Scientific Research. — Might be very useful in certain branches of tlie toy trade. Access thereto might certainly be an advantage. Amendment of existing Law. — Mr. Hornby thinks that copyright registration should be re-established. He is now taking action, in Australia, in a ease of copy- right infringement. In the absence of a certificate of registration he is obliged to get a legal instrument drafted. This causes difficulty, expense, and delay. The present patent law would be improved considerably by the introduction of the German system of Oehrauchsmuster, under which articles possessing features of novelty, but not patentable, would get a proper measure of protection. Improvement of Transport Facilities. — In this respect little diificulty has been found. Financial Assistance, &c. — One of the greatest handicaps from which our industries ' suffer is lack of capital. The toy trade is mainly a season's trade ; capital flows out at an enormous rate for nine months of the year and back again in about two months after the Christmas season is over. Hence a large amount of capital is required. In the absence of suitable security, which cannot in some cases be provided, although the MECHANICAL TOYS. 25 business may be quite sound and profitable, banks will not grant loans. The Govern- ment could give very considerable help by guaranteeing the banks (subject to special conditions) for loans made to manufacturers. Promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. — The British Industries Fair was in most respects very satisfactory, but future fairs should be much better advertised both in England and abroad. An annual fair would be of the greatest possible assistance to the toy trade. It should alwaj's be held in London, not later than March, and should be under the control of the Board of Trade. Foreign buyers should be given such information regarding the scope of the exhibition, hotel accommodation, other attractions in London, &c., as would impel them, to pay a visit to London while the fair is open. Protection of British Trade Marks Abroad. — An effort should be made to induce the countries that are parties to the present International Convention on Patents, &c., to agree that a trade mark once registered in any country shall not be registered by any other party in any other country. Mr. Hornby has experienced serious difficulty owing to his own trade mark having been registered, abroad, by other people. General. — Before the war about 90 per cent, of the toys in the United Kingdom were imported — mainly from Germanj' ; and there appeared to be no possibility of establishing British toy industries to compete with foreign manufacturers. Present conditions afford an opportunity created solely by the exclusion of German goods. To take advantage of this opportunity an absolutely prohibitive duty based on the net cost of production should be imposed on all foreign mechanical toys, at least until such time as British manufacturers can compete on equal terms. In the mechanical toy trade old-established firms in Germany and Austria, capitalised up to about 4,0OO,000L, have been producing, and perfecting their methods, for 20 years. We have a close knowledge of their finished products, and of the means required to duplicate and possibly improve upon them. We are deficient in trained and skilled labour, in factory accommodation and equipment, and in the -financial resources to establish the industry. Skilled labour can be rapidly acquired ; factory accommodation and equipment present no special difficulty ; the chief difficulty is the financial one. It would be utterly useless to attempt to capture trade from highly-experienced, well- established, German and Austrian houses, by encouraging small firms in this country to attack tiny portions of the mechanical toy business. Only a very large concern, working with the finest tools and skilled labour, and manufacturing in very large quantities, could hope to produce the required goods at proper prices. In order that our output may be large and our costs reduced, we should take energetic steps to capture not only the home trade but the colonial and foreign markets as well. The whole question turns upon output ; to capture trade we must increase our own and reduce that of the foreigner. Mr. Hornby suggests that the Sub-Committee should give consideration to the difficulties of obtaining copyright in America. Not only have blocks to be made and type set up there, but aU copies for that market have to be printed there. Hence goods sent to America have to be opened on arrival in order that the necessary book of instructions may be inserted. Mr. Hornby furnished certain detailed particulars regarding the manufacture by him of a set, comprising a locomotive, tender, two carriages and rails, being a duplicate of a German set which, prior to the war, was sold to the dealer in this country for 2s. Hd., and is being sold by Mr. Hornby for 3s. 8d. The floor space required to turn out this particular set alone represents approxi- mately 24,633 square feet. 26 . , , PART II. ,,y, OENERAL SUMMARY OF COLLECTIVE REPRESENTATIONS. ,,,; (1) Assistance in the Promotion of Scientific Research in the Interests OF TriADE AND INDUSTRY. ■lilTheTaltie of scientific research, and the desirability of Government assistance in connection therewith, are generally recognised. Evidence is given of the success attending State-aided research in Germany, and favourable reference is made to the Charlottenburg Institute of Berlin. It is suggested that, if action were taken through the Universities, heavy expenditure would not be necessary ; and the opinion is expressed that a scheme might be established which would be partly self-supporting. Reference is made to good work which is already being done by the Sheffield University, the Institute of Chemistry, the Manchester Technical School, and the Pottery College at Stoke-on-Trent. This work is said to be hampered by lack of funds. The witnesses representing the British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association stated that they had already submitted their views on this subject to the Advisory Council established under the " Scheme for the Organisation and " Development of Scientific and Industrial Research." Stress is laid on the importance of technical schools. It is admitted that employers have not properly appreciated the value of technical education, and that difficulty is experienced in inducing employees to avail themselves of the opportunities afforded them of increasing their technical knowledge. Among other suggestions are the following : — The appointment of "travelling scientists," to be lent to industrial enterprises in turn. The organisation of a committee to collect and classify samples from all parts of the world, of articles manufactured from various raw materials. The compilation of a list of substitutes for well-known raw materials. The formation of a bureau of consulting scientists, chemists, engineers, &c. ' •' Increased attention to the growing of timber. The offer of rewards for valuable discoveries. V, (2) Amendments of Existing Law as to Copyright, Patents, Trade Marks, Merchandise Marks Act, &o. Copyright. (Paper.) — Where copyright is granted by any country subject to certain restric- tions, similar restrictions should apply to copyright granted here to citizens of that country. (Printing.) — The English copyright law should be brought into line with that of the United States. At present, printed works to be copyrighted in both countries hav^ to be produced in the United States for the purposes of the copyright there, and consequently have to be manufactured in the United States, wholly or in part, even if for sale in this country. (Printing and Lithography.) — The working of the American copyright should be imitated here exactly, if only to compel its disuse. (Toys, Mechanical.) — Copyright registration should be re-established. (Jewellers and Silversmiths.) — The copyright and registration of designs need some revision ; and the Birmingham jewellery manufacturers would like to be able to register their designs at a local office instead of in London, QEaJERAL SUMMARY OF COLLECTIVE REPRESENTATIONS. ^7 Patents. (Fancy Leather Goods.) — Insufficient enquiries are made before patents are accepted, and patent rights are granted upon articles that have already been upon the market and are in fairly common use. To obviate this, more exhaustive enquiry should be made by the Patent Office before patent rights are granted, and trade bodies should be taken into consultation. (Cutlery.) — The trade are anxious to have relief from certain German patent rights, and German applications for patents, which impede the progress of the introduction of machinery. . ,' (Glassware.) — All British patents should be worked in Britain, and no articles manufactured abroad, for which British letters patent are granted, should (with possible exceptions) be imported. At present, compulsory manufacture . in this country is only nominal. [Printing and Lithography.) — The measure of protection given by any country to subjects of this country should be the measure of protection given to them. (Toys, Mechanical.) — The present law would be improved considerably by the introduction of the German system of Gebrauchsmuster. (Glass Bottles.) — Additional protection would be given to this industry if bottles made by any patented machine were to bear a mark indicating the patent under which they were manufactured. (China and Earthenware.)— Move care might with advantage be exercised by Patent Office examiners to ascertain whether a pattern or shape offered for registration has been "anticipated." (Electrical Apparatus.) — Exception is taken to the present letters patent on the ground that the cost is too high, the protection inadequate, and the period of provisional protection too short. The following recommendations are - made : — (1) That three classes of patent protection be created :— ' (a) A short term or petty patent for improvements or modifications in design, without provisional protection, and at a low cost. (h) A long term patent for new inventions. Provisional period of protection to be twelve months, and full period to be at least fifteen years, with an option to extend it to twenty-one years by payment of increased fees. -■"■■': (c) A patent for discovery of new principles. The patentee to be permitted to claim reasonable royalties from patentees of apparatus making use of such principle. (2) That an attempt be made to bring about the unification of patent laws within the British Empire. Complaint is made that the deterrent to deliberate and wilful infringement is insufficient, and also that, under the Canadian patent laws, the British manufacturer is at a great disadvantage, because, after the lapse of two years, a patent is rendered invalid by the importation of any article made under that patent, although the article may be also manufactured within the Dominion. Trade Marks. (Jewellery.) — English trade marks require better protection. The Customs should prevent the importation of goods bearing trade marks identical with, or nearly resembling, British trade marks. (Building and Drainage Earthenware.) — Goods which are wrongly marked should be confiscated at the port of entry. (Paper.) — In any altei-ation of the law, care should be taken that water-marks in paper are fully protected against imitation or infringement ; it should not be overlooked that a water-mark is a trade mark. ^ OENEBAL SUMMARY OF COLLECTIVE REPRESENTATIONS. Trade Marks — continued. (Stationery.) — If a British and Colonial Trade Marks Convention could be formed by vfhich a trade mark registered in London under convention would be valid in all the Colonies as well, the fee to be an inclusive one, it would be of great value to manufacturers, and would foster trade. (Printing and Lithography.) — Could not all trades have one national emblem ? Merchandise Marks Act. (General.) — Every article made in Germany or Austria-Hungary (or every- foreign- made article) imported into the United Kingdom sliould bear a mark showing the country of its origin. The mark should be conspicuous and indelible, and (less general) its removal, covering over, or defacement should be punishable by imprisonment of the offender and confiscation of the goods. Even small articles, such as rings, could be so marked. (Brushes.) — The Government should prosecute where cases of default are brought to their notice ; it should not be left to an individual to take action at great expense to himself. Many provisions of the x\ct can be ignored with impunity, because the Government do not move actively enough. (Stationery.) — No water-marks liable to be mistaken for British marks should be permitted on foreign-made paper imported. At present the Merchandise Marks Act is not a serious measure. (Jewellery) — Numerous mis-descriptions have crept into the trade and cannot be dealt with under the present Act. Thus, cheap metal articles, simply electro- gilt, are described as "rolled gold," " gold -cased," &c. (3) Improvement of Transport Facilities. (General.) — Complaint is made of preferential treatment of foreign goods by British railway companies, and it is suggested that the system of rating should be altered so as to favour the home instead of the foreign manufacturer. (Printing.) — Mr. Lacey : Our railways and canals should be permanently nationalised. Mr. Lake : Railway rates and classifications should be controlled and revised by some impartial authority, and our system of waterways should be investigated. It has sometimes been found cheaper to ship goods abroad for transmission to this country than to send them direct from one part of the countiy to another. (Cutlery.) — It is a matter of resentment to the trade that in some cases English shipping rings charge higher rates from English ports than from foreign countries. (Toys.) — Much might be done with State assistance, especially in the development of our national waterways. (Paper.) — The canal system of this country should be developed and modernised. Main trunk roads should be maintained and improved ; motor transport will be increasingly used in the future. Railway companies should be compelled to divide up their through rates from foreign countries. In the case of freight charges from one foreign port to another by way of a British port the through rate is frequently lower than that quoted at the British port for the part voyage. Delay and loss are caused by the absence of railway facilities for dealing with dock and ex-ship traffic. Considerable friction arises from excessive and vexatious charges for demurrage, returned empties, &c. Reference is made to a suspicion that foreign goods imported are sometimes rated by the railway companies on a classification lower than that applied to British goods of the same kind. (Glass Bottles.) — Cost of carriage, by land or sea, on bulky articles requiring much protective packing bears too high a percentage of the cost of such goods. (Jewellery.) — Increased facilities are desirable in connection with the registered letter and parcel post, and the insured box service. An extension of the cash- on-delivery system would be helpful. GENERAL SUMMARY OF COLLECTIVE REPREBENTATlOKS. 29 {China and Earthenware.) — German potters have been very materially assisted by tbeir government-subsidised rates of carriage. The question of cheap and rapid transport is of the greatest importance, and until something is done to assist manufacturers in this respect we shall be at a disadvantage compared with the Germans in competing for the ti-ade of the world. German manufac- turers get lower rates on goods for export than on goods for internal use. Canal freights are higher here than in Germany. (Building and Drainage Earthenware.) — Some such system as the German bounty system would enable British manufacturers to compete in markets at present closed to them. {Electrical Apparatus.) — Complaint is made that British exporters are severely handicapped by the excessive cost of railway and shipping freights as com- pared with those borne by their foreign competitors. A number of specific cases are quoted in which British rates compare very unfavourably with foreign rates. The cheaper rates prevailing in Germany are attributed to — Preferential transport rates, in Germany, on goods for export. The use on the Continent of large trucks having double the capacity of English trucks, and the charging of rates at " per truck " instead of at "per ton." The cheap through rates obtained by foreigners. Combination amongst British railway companies to keep up rates. The control by railway companies of British canals, which are throttled with high toll dues, so as to make them useless, while, on the other hand, water transport has been greatly developed in recent years in Germany, Holland, and France. In Eugland the exporter is handicapped and the importer favoured. If our canals were properly developed they would not only be profitable, but would be of immense advantage to the export trade, and at the same time relieve the railways of much of the slow traific. The cost of special sidings to large manufactories is generally extortionate in England. No reduction in made, in England, for large quantities. The Association of British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers recom- mend : — (1) That the Board of Trade should, as soon as possible, call together a conference of representatives of shipowners, railway companies, and the manufacturing industries, to discuss the whole question with a view to co-operation in removing the existing handicaps under which British industries labour when in competition with foreign producers. (2) That an impartial department of the Government be set up to exercise the functions of a tribunal for adjusting grievances existing between railway and transport companies and traders, more particularly where it can be shown that the foreigner is benefiting at the expense of British industry. (4) FiNAKCiAL Assistance, such as Industrial Trust Companies, and the Conditions to be attached to Loans to Foreign Countries. Trust Companies. {Building and Drainage Earthenware.)— A small subsidy would finance companies, whose business it would be to sell goods for groups of manufacturers, and good results would accrue. {Glass Bottles.) — Mr. Alexander : Industrial trust companies have greatly assisted Continental manufacturers. If the British Government lend their assistance in the future by means of an import duty or otherwise, such companies will be more readily prepared to afford assistance to British manufacturers. Mr. Barron : Financial aid would be a great help to many manufacturers. {Siloer smiths.) Many firms will require assistance after the war, and some pro- tection should be afforded to those who have invested capital in capturing trade formerly in German hands. ^ QENEBAL SUMMARY OF OOLLEOTIVE BEPEE8ENTATI0NS. Trust Comj^nieB— continued. :,.x{Ffinhng.) — Mr. Lake: Regarding financial aid there is a conflict of opinion . j .r ' between the heads of large, well-capitalised businesses and the heads of small !>.i under-capitalised businesses, the former being against and the latter in v.iA;. favour of the granting of such assistance. During the last 20 or 30 years .^■M ^ there has been a need for banks to study the wishes of businesses and industries which cannot capitalise themselves on a basis of 100,000i. or viniif'^' ?0O,OO0L, but which, with a few thousand pounds, might do very good itiPtiT-M lousiness for the country. Mr. Lacey : The conservative banking system must be dropped if British finance is to give the true help it should give in the coming stern '^.''■'V/ trade war. Board of Trade influence would be- of priceless value in starting '•V.' "" this " movement. It would be easy for the Board of Trade to assist the small 'j'-^'' :^ trader by promoting organisations in each of the allied countries for the ' - purpose of guaranteeing credit (having the means of ascertaining the risk), and shortening the settlement terms by discounting where necessary. {China and Earthenware.) — Capital and credit are granted to German manu- "lO "Hir: facturers by German banks under Government control, more freely than they 'i4> bi;3i ^^® granted to English manufacturers bj' English banks, especially now that the old-fashioned banks in provincial towns are disappearing. Hence the German manufacturer is in a better position than his English competitor to develop his business and to give long credit to his customers. i.::'(iStaiionerr/.)— -Manufacturers entering foreign markets, especially Russian, Chinese, 'liiiUo and South American, must give very long credits. They would be much ul !-"t(; assisted by some arrangement for the discounting of time bills. The establishment of industrial banks, on the lines of those in Germany, is .ik/r desirable. ..;i (Toys.) — Mr. Dean : Some modification of the terms demanded at the present time :. ' by banking companies of industrial concerns requiring financial assistance would greatly aid the expansion of trade. ;....,:- Mr. Hornby : The toy industry might be strengthened by assistance given by trust companies to small, well-established concerns. The Govern- ment could give very considerable help by guaranteeing banks (subject to -i:.v. certain conditions) for loans made to manufacturers. (Electric Apparatus.) — The British manufacturer gets less assistance than the '^"' foreign manufacturer from banks and financial houses. Hence there have '♦>•■ been carried out by German firms, in British Colonies and Dominions, many engineering schemes of considerable magnitude which could have been equally well undertaken by British firms if the latter could have received similar financial assistance. Moreover there are instances on record (e.g., the Victoria ■' - Falls Power Scheme) in which the German electrical industry has been largely ■ ' ^ financed by British capital. ^' • ■ - Loans to Foreign Countries. ' There is a fairly general expression of opinion to the effect that in granting loans to foreign countries, we should make it a condition that some of the money raised should be spent in this, country ; and some witnesses suggest that British industries should receive preferential treatment in connection with money raised for local loans or by taxation. The British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association make a representation to the following effect : — The attitude of British . financiers towards home industries is in direct contrast with that of German financiers who invariably stipulate that the plant and machinery for the undertakings they assist shall be of German manufacture. British municipal- ities and public bodies might set an example in this respect, and the Local Government Board, when sanctioning loans, might stipulate that British industry should receive preferential treatment. British municipalities should be assured that in accepting a tender which is not the lowest they wiU not be surcharged by the Government auditor. Accepting the lowest tender may mean that the contract goes to a foreigner, working under less restriction as to hours of labour, rates of wages, Factory Acts, &c., than the English contractor. The Association recommend : — (1) That in sanctioning the raising of loans, or taxation, by municipalities or public bodies, for carrying out works of public utility, the condition be GENERAL SUMMARY OF COLLECTIVE REPRESENTATIONS. 31 attached that preference must be given to British manufacturers. The amount of preference might, if thought desirable, be limited to, say, 10 per cent., as a check to trade combines. (2) That a similar condition should, if practicable, be attached to colonial and foreign loans raised in this country. The following further representations are made : — (Table GZass.)— Government assistance is desirable (but only during the war) for purchasing raw materials from abroad, in bulk, and distributing them to the various factories at the lowest cost. (Jewellery.) — British banking facilities in various countries, e.g., Colombia, are inadequate, and banking transactions have to be undertaken by merchant /' I ,,^ houses — usually German, the British merchant houses being "too slow." There are huge possibilities of developing trade with Russia, if financial facilities be afforded, or manufacturers obtain satisfactory guarantees that they will be able to collect their accounts. ,' .aryiV:'/) ,.■>,'• . . (5) The Promotion of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. Exhibitions organised by companies for financial profit, including and encouraging retail stalls, entertainments, and side shoWR, are not favoured. The value of the exhibition inaugurated by the Board of Trade is highly appreciated, and its continuation is greatly desired. The following suggestions are made : — Board of Trade control is necessarj'. Future exhibitions should be much better advertised, both in England and abroad. They should be on a larger scale than the last exhibition. They should remain open for at least fourteen days. The public should be excluded. Only real manufacturers should be allowed to exhibit. As regards the printing trade, foreign manufactured goods should be excluded. Definite information as to date and place of exhibition should be given as long in advance as possible. Foreign buyers should be given such information regarding the scope of the exhibition, hotel accommodation, other attractions in London, &c., as would ; impel them to pay a visit to London while the exhibition is open. London is the proper place for the exhibition. The exhibition should be held not later than March. (It was also suggested that June or July would be the most favourable time.) It is doubtful whether advisory committees in connection therewith would be of much use. Mr. Lacey suggested that, in addition to the Board of Trade Exhibition, a miniature fair— an exhibition of British goods— should be held, once a year, in each of the world's capitals, with admission by special invitation. •> The British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association think that the money spent by the British Government in connection with exhibitions abroad has not greatly benefited British industry, such exhibitions having been held in countries which impose a high import tariff on British goods. They recommend : — (1) That consideration be given to the promotion of trade exhibitions in British Colonies and Dominions, and in countries where the conditions are favourable to British enterprises. (2) That efforts be made to establish an annual trade fair in London correspond- ing to the great Continental trade fairs, and that special facilities for visiting the fairs be given to colonials, and to overseas trade com- \. ■ missioners and other overseas officials who are in a position to influence British trade abroad. Mr. Shenton thinks that it would not be difficult to organise fairs for the whole of the kingdom that would rival, or even surpass, those held in Leipzig. 32 general summary of collective uepuesentations. (6) The Protection of British Trade Marks Abroad. . (Paper.) — The position of the British paper maker in the matter of water marks requires strengthening. Reference is made to the decision of the French authorities that paper made in France might bear the mark " Papier Anglais." (Stationery.) — It would be of the highest value if the Board of Trade were to assist manufacturers in adjusting equities in matters of foreign trade disputes. A member of the Stationers' Association owns a mark for fountain pens in Japan. A Japanese owns the same trade mark. Thus two firms are permitted to sell entirely different kinds of fountain pens under the mark " Swan," It would be a costly matter for the member of the Association to take steps to have the Japanese mark expunged, but if there were a system of mutual com- promise, the matter might be settled by the British and Japanese Boards of Trade. (Silversmiths.)— The Government should protect the registered trade marks of British firms abroad. Our consuls might help British firms, who propose to bring an action in a foreign town for infringement of trade marks, by taking a benevolent interest in the matter and by giving advice as to the best lawyers to engage, and so on. Mr. Bradbury strongly emphasised his view that the Government should take steps to stop the abuse of the British silver haU-marks by American and Canadian manufacturers, and also by manufacturers in other parts of the world. He handed in advertisements of American firms showing how they adopt the hall-marks of the British Assay Ofiices as their trade marks. The practice of applying the haU-marks to electro-plated ware is quite prevalent in the United States ; Canada is " flooded " witli plate made in America and bearing these marks, and consequently the Canadian Govern- ment cannot prevent (as they would otherwise do) the use of them by manu- facturers in Canada. The matter is one which, in Mr. Bradbury's opinion, certainly does need the earnest consideration of His Majesty's Government. (Cutlery.) — It is recognised that the Government can hardly take up the protection of trade marks of individuals, but if the Board of Trade would ofiicially prosecute in all cases where foreign goods are made up to pass as English in markets abroad, their action would be immenselj'' popular. (Brushes.) — It would be an advantage if British consuls were British men in aU. cases. (China and Earthenware.) — The potting industry would benefit by increased protection of trade marks. British trade marks are looked upon abroad as guarantees of excellence of quality. When, as frequently happens, these marks are copied by German manufacturers, inferior goods are foisted on the buyers, who thus form an erroneous conception of the quality of British goods. German trade consequently benefits at the expense of English trade. Our consuls could, by making use of their opportunities for observation and enquiry, very materially assist in stamping out this unfair competition. (Mechanical Toys.) An effort should be made to induce the countries that are parties to the present International Convention on Patents to agree that a trade mark once registered in any country shall not be registered by any other party in any other country. Mr. Tlornhy has experienced serious difficulty owing to his own trade mark having been registered, abroad, by other people. (Printing.) — Mr. Lake suggests the establishment of an international tribunal which would, by one registration, give world-wide protection ; or of a system under which the prosecution of claims would be made in the country of the aggrieved party, the loser (or, in case of his bankruptcy, his country) to pay all expenses. Mr. Lacey suggests that in the different countries the principle of reciprocal protection, and no more, implying the power of retaliation for proved offences, would be the best solution. GENERAL SUMMARY OF COLLECTIVE REPRESENTATIONS. 33 (Electrical Apparatus.)— The British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Associa- tion make the following recommendations : — (1) A trade mark should, when possible, be stamped or branded on the article itself, and not upon a detachable label. (2) It is desirable to bring about, if possible, some measure of imiformity in regard to the registration of trade marks within the British Empire, and to render it unnecessary to pay a separate and heavy registration fee in each Colony or State in which trade is carried on. (7) General. Protective Import Duties, (Paper Manufacture.) — After the war the trade will again be faced by two of the great difficulties which it encountered in meetijig foreign competition in the pre-war period : firstly, dumping ; secondly, competition arising from the prevalence in certain foreign countries of unduly low wages and inordinately long hours. The trade looks to the Govermnent to take effective steps to safeguard it against these. English manufacturers have no objection to ineeting prices based on the cost of production, but they object to a price which is artificially less than the cost of production. To render the trade safe against diuupiug, an import duty of 15 per cent, would be desirable. (Stationery.) — It is strongly felt that, after the war, the present antagonism to German and Austrian goods will become weakened by attractions of cheapness, as all classes of goods produced in preseut enemy countries will be dumped here. Of late many factories have been equipped here to produce goods formerly imported, and further developments in this direction would be undertaken but for the feeling of insecurity due to fears of unrestricted dumping. This fear would be immediately removed were the Government to formulate and announce some scheme of protection. In giving evidence before the Sub-Committee, Mr. Barringer said : " It would " be a very difficult matter for us to make suggestions on the tariff. We are " all widely divergent in our manufactures." (Jeioellers and Silversmiths.) — Some protection should be afforded to those who have invested capital in capturing trade formerly in German hands. One large manufacturer, finding that his silver trade had been almost stopped owing to the war, is making cheap ornaments, such as have hitherto been made in Austria-Hungary, of copper and soft metal. He has established certain machinery and would put down more, but is afraid that, after the war, the market will be flooded with foreign goods, and that his machinery will be useless. Mr. Bradbury thought that this manufacturer would probably be sufficiently protected by a duty of about 15 per cent. (Cutlery.)'- Mr. Tyzach: There is extensive dumping of German goods in the United Kingdom. This dumping could be prevented by confiscating, at the port of entry, goods found to be undervalued. Alternatively, it could be stopped by a tariff, but the tariff must be fairly high — 10, 15, or 20 per cent. Mr. Street : As the foreigner is sure to make a great effort to recapture the lost trade after the war, we need a slight measure of protection. (Fancy Leather Goods.) — The trade is strongly convinced that the British manu- facturer will not hold his own after the war unless the Government protect him, at least for a time, from direct foreign competition. A prohibitive tariff of, say, 33|- per cent, is required for five years. (Brushes.)— The only solution of the difficulties arising from the competition with Germany and Austria-Hungary is the imposition of import duties on goods from those countries. Import duties would also assist the brush manufacturers to maintain developments rmdertaken in consequence of present conditions, and the knowledge that such protection woidd be afforded after the war would encourage them to do more than they are at present justified in doing to develop that section of the trade previously held by Germany and Austria. A permanent duty is desired of 33|^ per cent, on all foreign-made goods, n 944 C 34 GENERAL SUMMARY OF UOLLEUTIVE REPRESENTATIONS. Protective Import Duties — continued. (Toys, other than Mechanical.) — Mr. Dean: Our toy trade generally is in jeopardy because of. the risk that, directly the war is over, the cheapest articles will find their way in. German manufacturers employ family or home labour — " sweating to the very highest degree." Hence they can produce more cheaply than we can. Apart from the technical skill required the only way of meeting German competition is to institute a tariff on all toys imported, with a higher tariff on toys produced wholly or in i)art by family or home labour. Generally speak- ing, an expert could distinguish the latter class of toys. If the importation of enemy goods is not prohibited altogether for a period of years after the war, with a tariff of 25 or 30 per cent, the trade coiild, 1 think, be held : family or home labour would not then matter. (Glass Ware : Table Glass and Lighting Glass.) — Mr. Congreve Jackson : Manu- facturers are now being urged to capture enemy trade. To do this they must expend much capital. But they can olfer no security to investors that, after the war, the additional trade obtained under present conditions will be maintained. It is desirable that German and Austrian glass be entirely excluded for a period of three years after the war. Subsequently a duty of HZ^ per cent, should be imposed thereon. A tariff of 33^ per cent, should also be imposed on all foreign table glass, with a preference in favour of our Allies. Mr. Williams-Thomas : A duty should be imposed on German and Austrian manufactures entering this country (or the Empire) after the cessation of hostilities, and to be effective this duty should be prohibitive for a period of five or more years. Unless this is done the efforts now made to capture enemy trade will, in a great measure, be useless. (China and Earthenware.) — Mr. Shenton refers to various advantages which German manufacturers enjoy as compared with manufacturers in this countrj'^ (transport facilities, and situation of factories in rural districts where cost of building, rates, &c. are low, and fuel and labour are cheap), and states that the most efficient way of neutralising these advantages would be the imposition of a tariff. (Mechanical Toys.) — Before the war about 90 per cent, of the toys in the United Kingdom were imported — mainly from Germany ; and there appeared to be no possibility of establishing British toy industries to compete with foreign manufacturers. Present conditions afford an opportunity created solely by the exclusion of German goods. To take advantage of this opportunity an absolutely prohibitive duty, based on the net cost of production, shoiild be imposed on all foreign mechanical toys, at least until such time as British manufacturers can compete on equal terms. (Printing Trade.) — Mr. Lake : If the position of the British printer is to be maintained after the war, a tariff should be placed on all printed matter imported into the country, and the diity should be made specially heavy on pictorial and colour printing produced from British designs. Mr. Wate7-low : The duty on all foreign printed goods should be at least 33| per cent. Mr. Lacey : The trade Avill not be held permanently unless there be some measure of protection, which might also grant preference to allied nations. (Electrical Apparatus.) — The British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Asso- ciation regard the imposition of an import tariff as essential for the satisfactory maintenance of the British electrical engineering and allied industries after the war. The text of the Resolution on the subject which has been passed by the Council of the Association will be found in Part I., Summary No. 5 (Electrical Apparatus), page 11. (Glass Bottles.) — Mr. Alexander : At the present time there is a grave shortage of bottles of all kinds. British manufacturers are doing their best to cope with the situation, but being apprehensive that, after the war, their position will be precarious, they are afraid to incur the expenditure necessary to GENERAL SUMMARY OF COLLECTIVE REPRESENTATIONS. 35^ modernise their works. The best protection that could be afforded them would be a tariff on foreign-made bottles. Messrs. -Thos. Barron, Ltd., think that there ought to be some protective tariff on German and Austrian bottles after the war. (Glass Ware (Flint and Laboratory Ware).) — A special difHculty at the present time is the responsibility of deciding whether to launch out into new lines in view of the danger of German and Austrian dumping after the war. Some form of protection is desirable. On optical and chemical glass a duty of from 25 to 30 per cent, would be required for a period of five years. Labour Conditions. (Paper Making.) — The labour bill, for the same class of output, is much the same in Germany as in Bury. Italy has a nimaber of paper mills and these pay very low wages. " The wage relationship of Japan is an entirely different thing from any- thing here." (Jewellers and Silversmiths.) — One of the chief reasons for the progress made by the German jewellery trade before the war was the German system of art and technical education and apprenticeship. A system of enforced apprenticeship and technical education would be good for this country. In Birmingham it is difficult to induce boys to attend art classes, even if their fees are paid and they are given time to attend the classes in the afternoon ; and in the jewellery trade the apprenticeship system has broken down altogether. (Cutlery.) — Reference is made to the better methods and organisation of the Germans, and to the superiority of the German to the Sheffield workman in discipline and education. This superiority is partly attributed to the German trade schools. In England the trade has suffered from the resistance of workmen to the introduction of machinery, and from trade union rules as to apprenticeship. It is suggested that a clause should be inserted in contracts stating that the contract was placed at the rate of wages then ruling, and that contractors, in sending in their tender, should pledge themselves not to go beyond the rates agreed as between the Employers* Associations and the trade unions. (Fancy Leather Goods.) — There is difiiculty in getting labour, because trained labour does not exist in this country ; manufacturers have been greatly handicapped because the market has no labour that can help them. Even in normal times the raw material has to be taken. Technical schools barely exist in this trade. It will take years to train workmen in sufficient numbers to produce the variety of goods necessary to compete with German models. (Brushes.) — Japanese tooth-brushes of the cheaper kind can be bought here at less than half the cost of making them here. If employers were given greater freedom, and trade unions were a little more reasonable as regards subdivision and organisation of labour and intro- duction of machinery, a great deal could be done in the brush trade in this country. (Toys, other than Mechanical.) — The establishment of technical schools, where proper training could be given in the numerous branches of industry that have sprung up, is absolutely essential to the successful prosecution of the new imdertakings. It is only by such training that the British manufacturer can hope to secure supplies of skilled workmen and workwomen to act as overseers and teachers in factories, and thus counteract, in some degree, the competition from Germany which is largely kept alive by the liberal supply of family labour. (Glass Ware : Table and Lighting Glass.) — Mr. Congreve Jachson states that the industry has been declining in this country for the last sixty years. Amongst the causes of the decline he mentions trade union rules, the severity of factorv legislation, and the free importation of foreign mould-formed glass produced in protected countries under labour conditions prohibited in England. In France, Belgium, Germany, and Austria boys start work at nine years of age and are employed — particularly in Bohemia — at extremely u 911 D 36 GENERAL SUMMARY OF COLLECTIVE REPRESENTATIONS. Labour Conditions — continued. low wages. Here they may not be employed in the glass-works until they are 13 (until recently, 14) years of age, and they are paid at the rate of 12s.-14s. per week. In Continental glass-works wages generally are much lower, and hours of labour much longer than in this country. Mr. Webb states that the decline is due to restrictions on production, high wages of labour, and the free admission of foreign goods. He complains that while a clause is inserted in Government and other contracts to the effect that trade union wages shall be paid in this country, contracts are placed with Gei-man and other foreign agents without any stipulation as to rates of wages. (China and Earthenware.) — German manufacturers make use, in winter, of surplus labour employed during summer in agriculture. This surplus labour is used to build up huge stocks, and to cover dead expenses. The German manu- facturer is also allowed by his Government to avail himself of home and child labour, the cost of which is notoriously very low. In Germany the average rate of wages is about 25s. 6d. per week of from 58 to 60 hours. In England the average is 31s. 6d. for 50 hours. {Mechanical Toys.) — .We are deficient in skilled labour, but this can be rapidly acquired. (Prmtin^.)— German workshop organisation is better than ours. Longer hours are worked by German than by British workmen, and the former pay more attention than the latter to their work. Wages are slightly lower in Germany than in England. {Electrical Apparatus.) — In 1913 hours of labour were slightly longer in Germany than in England ; wages were about the same in the two countries ; and the standard of labour was better in Germany. {Glass Ware : Flint Glass and Laboratory Ware.) — The main difficulties in the past — and they will be the same after the war — were '-labour difficulties. Wages in England are higher than on the Continent. In France much of the skilled handicraft work is done at home, in the workers' spare time, by family labour. No machinery is required, but merely a blow-pipe with foot bellows. In England there are not more than 15 or 20 Englishmen who can make the complicated chemical glass ware. The labour cost in that branch of the trade amounts "to about 90 per cent, of the total cost. There is a scarcity of boy labour. The industry is dominated by trade unions. Establishment of a Ministry of Commerce (or Industry). (Paper.) The Papermakers* Association express the hope that the relationship now being established between Manufacturers' Associations and the Board of Trade may result in the creation of a distinct Ministry of Commerce, where practical men of business will be in continuous consultation with the heads of the Government, and the commercial policy of the country will be clearly defined and effectively organised for the conquest of the world's trade. That Department should have commercial and not political brains. (Fancy Leather Goods.) — It is desirable to establish in this country a Minister of Commerce — not a politician, but a man of commercial experience and ability. {Electrical Apparatus.) — The manufacturing industries of this country are of sufficient importance to be represented by a Government Department distinct from the Board of Trade, whose functions are not to encourage but rather to regulate and impose conditions on trade. What is needed is a Department which will be sympathetic towards British industry and will champion its cause against any other Department which seeks to impose restrictive conditions. The new Department should also be in a position to act as a tribunal for the settlement of differences arising between different sections of industry. The British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association recommend : — That a Government Department (a Ministry of Commerce or a Ministry of Industry), independent of the Board of Trade, should be appointed to represent and encourage the development of British industry. GENERAL SUMMARY OF COLLECTIVE REPRESENTATIONS. 37 That such Department might very suitably be the existing Commercial Intelligence Department of the Board of Trade, responsible to a permanent executive committee composed of representatives of all branches of indiistry, and having sub-committees representing various sections, Mr. Davenport suggested that steps should be taken to establish a Ministry of Commerce or Industry before the war ends. Miscellaneous Representations. The Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers' Association state that the English cutlery trade suffers from the under-declaration of the value of foreign goods exported to the United States or to the British Colonies. They would welcome an arrangement under which they would pay the cost of any samples which Trade Commissioners or Consuls were able to obtain, if the samples were accompanied by particulars as to the foreign manufacturers exporting, with a view to verification of the price at which the goods were valued. Government committees should be composed of business men, personally conversant with commercial affairs. {British Brush Manufacturers' Association.) In the export trade, calling upon buyers is the only way to build up trade. United action with travellers representing a trade group, and, if possible, sample exhibits, would capture more trade than any other method. (Mr. J. Johnston Green.) More help should be rendered to the export trade by our Consuls, who, in this respect, compare unfavourably with German Consuls. Every British Consul should be of British nationality, if a native of this countrj' is available. He should be a commercial man, or have a commercial department ; and, in order that he may look properly after commercial interests, he should be adequately remunerated. (Mr. Lake.) The establishment is suggested of a Central Export Bureau under Government control, from which advice might be obtained as to markets and methods of approaching them. (Mr. Lake.) The printing trade should be allowed to express their views prior to increase of postal rates. (Mr. Lake.) Foreign trade attaches might be invited to be our guests. (Mr. Lacey.) Valuable prizes might be given for essays, &c., on trade promotion. (Mr. Lacey.) The proper study of foreign languages should be encouraged by the State. (Mr. Lacey.) Official records of approved translators in foreign languages and of capable foreign trade consultant experts would be of great value. (Mr. Barringer.) German printing and lithography gained much by having the assistance of the greatest German designers. The Board of Trade should encourage our ablest artists to produce designs, which should be national. (Mr. Lacey.) Closer association should be established between schools of design and workshops. (Mr. Lacey.) The work of printing British designs should be secured for British printers. (Mr. Hill.) An effort should be made to obtain reduced tariffs in the Colonies, for advertising matter which accompanies goods imported for sale in those Colonies. (Mr. Barringer.) The duty charged, in certain countries, on catalogues is very injurious to trade. The system of Trade Commissioners which is now in force in our Dominions should be extended to the principal foreign countries. (British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association.) The information supplied by Trade Commissioners, &c., should not be distributed broadcast, but should be sent only to the trade associations representing the industry concerned, who would distribute it to the appropriate section. (British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association.) A Government inquiry should be instituted to consider the desirability of adopting the system of decimal coinage and the metric system. If it should be decided on the evidence submitted that it would be clearly beneficial to British industry that such systems be adopted, suitable legislation should be framed with a view to their general adoption. (British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association.) It is desirable that there should be a convention with the Colonies for the adoption of the metric system. (Mr. Barringer.) 38 GENERAL SUMMARY Of COLLKCTIVE RKPRESENTATIONS. Miscellaneous Representations — continued. Some effort should be made through the Board of Trade to arrange a meeting of traders, to educate them to take full advantage of what the Board are doing for them. {Mr. Davenport.) Our trade directories are defective. {Mr. Burch.) Buyers belonging to English houses who go over to Germany to purchase goods do not buy the goods on their merits, but are influenced by a desire to enjoy a pleasant holiday and the entertainment provided for them hy German exporters. i^lr. Barringer.) Agents here of German manufacturers work together to subdue British manu- facturers ; it is war, not commerce. (Mr. Dean.) Travellers' trading licences, within the Empire, should be preferential as regards British representatives. {M. Barringer.) In Germany it is required that all stationery used in Government and municipal offices, in schools, and in connection with railways and tramways, shall be of German production. It would be advantageous were a similar regulation in force in this country in favour of British goods. {Messrs. Roicney & Co.) British assay marks on silver are not accepted in Russia, and it is useless for British manufacturers of silver jewellery, &c. to attempt to do business with that country under the present regulations. {Mr. Bradhnry.) The dumping of German and Austrian goods might (failing a tariff) be prevented by the following plan : — Each consignment of goods from Germany or Austria to this country should be accompanied by a declaration by the manufacturer of the goods, or his agent, to the effect that they are not sold at a lower price than would be obtained for them in the domestic market. This declaration should be sworn before a British Consxil of British nationality. The Consul should verify the declaration by reference to the mapiufacturers' books, and any attempt to evade the conditions imposed should be punished by confiscation of the goods. {Mr. Shenton.) '-^ I \