The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1915-08-28
CUSTOMS DUTIES q
IS DEEP PROBLEM

tOuS W pCl many Ehu9tAAo oh0 go
gary than the future industrial re-
lations among these three nations.
For close to a century, or ever
since Prussia as an independent
state of Germany took the initiative,
the problem of custom duties among
them has been a moot question on
which all have seldom agreed and
on which they do not agree today.
The original and varying obiec-
tions to a proposed customs associa-
ton or agreement among the origi-
nal independent states of Germany,
Austria and Hungary eventually
swept away almost forcibly, and a
union was introduced that almost
produced results. The varied devel-
opments of the three nations during
the course of years brought con-
slant disagreements as to what the
tariff conditions should be, dis
agreements which it is felt in many
circles must be settled during the
present war if at all.
Hungary at n time or another
has been a persistent contender for
a high protective tariff against the
invasion of the articles which the
we'll developed industry of Germany
has supplied, and in consequence
of which the Hungarian industry is
still in its infancy. Not longer ago
than late in June, Hungary once
more formally protested. at a meet
ing of the German-Austrian econo-
mic league. against the lowering Of
tariffs, and pleaded eve for higher
customs duties than exist at pres
ent.
Not all Hungary, however, holds
this view, as a very recent meeting
of Hungarians in Berlin attested
The men, more than a score of them.
comprised the Hungarian economic
league, which with the German-Aus-
trian organization comprises tho
central European league. In spite Of
opposition that was at times deter
mined, a majority of the members.
comprising some of Hungary's most
prominent agricultural, industrial
and political figures, finally went
on record as in favor of taking
down the tariff bars among the three
countries.
One of the chief arguments was
hat Germany and Hungary do not
manufacture the same things, and
that both will be benefited rather
than hindered by the admission of
articles that do not compete with
home production.
Thus Hungary is a producer of
agricultural machinery, to supply
its W large needs, and can with
out any harm to German industry,
introduce it's product in the latter
empire. Germany on the other
hand makes quantities of other
kinds of machinery and a thousand
things hat are not produced in Hun
gary, which can be introduced at a
lower tariff into that country with
out dangerously competing with the
Hungarian industry.
The argument that an understand
ing and agreement must be reached
during rather than after the war il
advanced by many who believe that
after hostilities have ceased the
nations will be too busy with their
renovation and upbuilding and too
jealous of each other industrfalIy
ever to be able to arrive at an ulr
derstanding.
Prominent Hnngarians in the
league hold the opposite view and
insist that the present time is iuop-
perfume and that efforts to brin"
about a tariff reform now are pre-
mature. This branch is st~eadfastly
opposed by those who maintain that
all the three countries at the pres
ent time need every advantage that
can be derived from lower tariffs.
Austria. because of its half indus
trial. half agrarian nature, has al
ways stood midway between Ger.
many and Hungary. with a general
slight leaning for the former. Such
industries as she has are i'll the main
in good condition and unlikely to
be injured by a lowering of tariff
walls that would permit of a German
industrial invasion.
The benefits in the past from the
customs union that has existea
since 1884, even though through it
individuals went down, are suffi,
GENTLY marked to induce Austriars
to favor on the whole a still closer
relation of this sort. Hungary is and
always has been poor capitalistical-
of the opposition.