Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-01
COMMERCIAL CHANCES IN CANADA
CURTIS

September II. 1911

|
Everybody 1 have talked with is OF the
| opiihon that the export merchants and
manufacturers of the Unit
NeSlectlng ed States are neglecting
| Cb, great opportunity to extend
their trade in the prairie
provinces of Canada. Although a con-
siderable portion of the manufactured
| merchandise consumed by the Canadians
comes across the border. it is brought
over by the local merchants and jobbers,
VINO go after it. There has been very
ittle effort on the part of Americans to
get the trade. 1t is a significant fact that
'he manufacturers of Germany have in
Vaoed this market with their usual energy
ana persistence. and German drummers
are going from city to city offering to
| supply any class of goods in any style
ana OF any pattern that may be desired
on any reasonable credit. and are break
ing connections which have heretofore
been sacred to England and Scotland.
The German drummer is ubiquitous. I
lind him actively engaged in Canada, in
Australia, in Mexico Central and South
America: not only trying to sell the goods
his employer produces. hut eager to pro-
duce anything that the consumers in these
turerS Will not do this: nor will the
American. They do not cater to the
tastes and whims of their customers. as
the Germans do. and their customers have
TO accent what they offer or go without.
Nor will they give such generous credits
as the Germans offer. although that is
not so strong An inducement in Canada
as II is in the Latin American countries.
You see nothing In the papers about pub
lie alarm concerning German invasion of
Canada: but 1t is certain to come in a
commercial sense within very few wears
unless the manufacturers of the United
States show more enterprise in this direc-
ton.
Nobody knows more about this subject
than Consul General ]. E. Jones, for
merly OF Washington. who
Richest has made close study Of
this market. In conversa-
MdIhet. ton last night he declared
that his experience. which covers period
of five years in western Canada, with an
intimate knowledge Of the people and the
country has convinced him that the
prairie provinces offer the greatest mar
ket for Americana made goods that can
he found in the world outside Of our own
boundaries.
I'm the first place." said DR.. Jones.
1.-The American manufacturer who seeks
a market in western Canada need net
specialize his product. Although BRIT
ish COLONY 1t is New York rather than
London that sets the styles, and the
people here are as keen for the latest
developments in machinery and the arts
as our own people in the United states.
These people are really our own people,
more closely related than any other,
speaking our language, believing In the
institution Of free government and I'M
bued with all the glories and history or
the Anglo-Saxon race: SO that when the
American manufacturer seeks to place
his goods he finds a sympathetic market
Not only that, but a market that Is
wealthy and buyers able to pay Tor the
best
what is the total consumption Of
American goods in the prairie prov
inces?" was asked
"I regret that cannot supply you with
the facts and figures Of the consumption
Of American-made goods,
Cur Goods but all customs records
Preferred n are kept nows at o on1~ refer
you to the great department stores OF
Winnipeg to illustrate the fact that
American-made goods are preferred to
all others in this market
Are the American manufacturers alive
to the opportunities
to interest the American manufacturers
sufficiently in the opportunities which
western Canada offers. They have scarce
ly scratched the skin of opportunity IN
this wonderful country. The excuse Is
that the manufacturer has enough bust
ness at home to take care of, and that
he prefers local TO a supposed foreign
market.
fc bar
that outside of agricultural machinery and
implements our people do not understand
western Canada, and, / regret to say,
show a slight disposition to investigate.
There is not line OF merchandise III the
United States which could not find
ready sale I'm western Canada. With
population that is increasing by leaps and
bounds, it seems to me that 1T is or pr1-
mary importance to all manufacturers TO
carefully investigate conditions now. Ger
many is alive to the opportunities She
Is sending representative business men
and experienced agents into western Can
ada and the result of. their Investigations
is best Illustrated by the appearance of
German made goods in all of the stores.
Germany wants this market Her manu-
facturers are making every effort to d.
vide it with the United States, and her
representatives in this western country
have practically been given carte blanche
as to prices and credits. Our manufac-
turers must not delay. The acute situa-
ton is at hand. l hope they will not
overlook the friendly neighbor whose
growing market is at our very door
winnipeg is unique as a city, con-
tinued the consul general Its marvel
Gus development reads more
Winnineg like magic tale than stern
Unique. tbirtv-eisht Years ago, and
owes it's existence to the revenge of man.
Twenty-Five miles northeast of Winnipeg