New Britain herald., 1922-04-28

| fairs contrary to expectation, has ap-
 peared In Germany since the war; and
 the blame is laid to the hordes of
 Russian refugees now residing in Ger
 many, 1t is said that this is the single item of culture planted in Ger many by the Russians. With money n great deal can be done in eyadmg the law, and some merchants avail them selves of this method,
 This last move of the German gov ernment to compel exports to bc paid for by foreign eXchange,is said to have n double aim in view. Firstly it aids the government to make reparation payments in gold, Secondly, it cn, ables the government to get the for cigners' mark deposits at bargain prices through keeping the value of the mark down. A good part of the 30 billion marks deposits above re- ferred to was intended to cover pur- chases. With the new export ruling they cannot use them for that pur- pose, and many are obliged 10 l1ui- date them at q gerat loss. This is said to bc one of tho reasons tho mark is down in face of the fact that recently Germany's exports exceeded her imports and that should mean a higher value for the mark.
 Foreign Restrictions.
 If may be of interest to mention the restrictions put on German goods in different countries, and how they are overcome, England has no other re- strlctions than collecting the 26 per cent reparation export duty. This is generally collected by the English au- thorities at port of entry, from the conssnee, who in turn charges it back to the German shipper, The latter upon presenting proof that England has collected the amount re- imburse the German shipper, so that the amount is virtually paid directly by the government, and not the manu- facturer as some people think.
 France, besides imposing the above 2G per cent export reparation tax, butts on very high duty on German i'm ports. in many cases double of what other countries pay, Still good nuan- tity of goods comes in by a subter- fuge. A neutral country, like Holland for instance, imports the German ar tcle. which bears no trade marks or Identification, and re-exports it to France as Dutch merchandise, under a low duty.
 Restricted Exports.
 Belgium treats German goods sim | ilary to France, and above mention l cd methods are also used to get | around the restriction. In Poland an other condition entirely exists. It is Germany that restricts export to Po- and, on account of the hatred of Poles by the Germans, brought on by recent occurrences Still Poland needs German goods and a good amount is shipped there via Roumania. or Izecho Slovakia. Transportation charges are very high, but the Ger nan goods are at present cheap though to stand. In this instance the | Germans do not insist upon Polish cx- 'hange, but invariably demand marks. Other countries, like Italy. Switzer- and, Roumania, etc, do not even eX- Jet the 26 per cent export duty un- Ter Germany's threat to forbid eX- ports to those countries.
 Heavy Taxes.
 A word should be said on German aXation, especially as it relates to Ter industries. There are not many indirect taxes by the government, to ,urden railroads, items of first ne- essity, or food, but very heavy tax s put on large cash holdings as well $ d very heavy tax on large incomes. manufacturer showing a million marks or over net gain for the year, ias to give so per cent of it to the ,overnment, These heavy taxes aro ften dodged through plant exten- ions. which also explains the -four shing trade of machinery builders, hese days. While the machine tool business in England or with us IS al- nost dead, the Germans have large ontracts and are working full force, s was evidenced at the Leipzig bring Sample Fair. of which men ion will be later. While on the ques- ion of machine tools, I will add, that wing to the good demand prices ave been advancing rapidly, so that n many cases they equal pre-War rices, taken on the same basis.
 In conclusion, I will say that Ger lany is going through q serious risis, more serious than in other and the solution of her roblems are very difficult indeed he German nation is not happy by ny means, and has hard problems be- ore ;t.