There is some reason to suppose that the activity of representatives of American business houses in New Zealand for some time past has resulted in the importation of a considerable quantity of German goods.
An illustration of how this is effected has been brought under our notice by the head of a local firm.
This firm received a straight-out offer from an establishment of good standing in the United States to supply it with articles which in America are called ‘‘snap-fasteners'', but in British countries are known as dome fasteners, of the ‘‘Diamond'' and ‘‘Standard'' variety, to be delivered at prices very considerably below the most favourable terms on which similar goods are obtainable from the United Kingdom.
There is no pretence, however, that the ‘‘snap-fasteners'' are the product of factories in the United States. The cards of samples submitted by the American establishment blatantly proclaim the fact that the goods are ‘‘made in Germany''.
In view of this the local firm has declined to enter into a transaction which might have been highly profitable. It is, instead, forwarding to the Minister of munitions the correspondence which it has received.
There is no doubt whatever that this case is simply illustrative of many others, and that there is a fairly large leakage of German manufactures, through the United States, into British communities.
■At the Kaitangata Miners' Union meeting on Saturday night a letter was read from a member who was injured in the mine about a year ago, and was still incapacitated (says the correspondent of the Balclutha Free Press).
The writer stated that his medical adviser certified him as unfit for work, and as of opinion that it would be some months yet before he would be able to resume. Some time ago the insurance company responsible for his compensation had written offering him £50 as final payment for his accident claim.
On his refusing this the offer was increased to £75, and later to £100. He refused these lump sum amounts, being quite prepared to take his weekly amount.
The insurance people had notified him on his refusal to take the £100 that they would not pay any further weekly allowance, and he had not received any for the last two months.
He appealed to the union to take up his case. After the letter had been considered, the executive was instructed to investigate the case and the statements contained in the letter, and to take legal action on the member's behalf if necessary.
- ODT, 6.4.1916.
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