GERMAN PROSPERITY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 152, 24 December 1929, Page 11

GERMAN PROSPERITY

JUMP IN EXPORTS

FAVOURABLE TRADE BALANCE

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 4th October.

Reporting on German commercial ani industrial conditions in the year 1928, the British Commercial Counsellor in Berlin states:—

In spite of anxiety and strain ascribed to uncertainty on the reparations 'question and developments in the American money market, .Germany durr ing 1928 reduced to a very considerable extent the excess of her total imports over exports recorded in the previous year. She increased her favourable balance in trade with Great Britain. Since 1924 Germany has developed a fundamental stability and soundness which justify the anticipation of a fresh era of progress when the present uncertainty has been removed The number of German industries run. to a large extent on foreign capital will probably increase. It has been mlde abundantly clear by recent events thai Germany needs foreign capital for her further progress. Excluding the movements of bnllioa and specie, and reparation deliveries, the excess of imports over exports iv 19-7 amounting to 4,004.6 million marks, was reduced to 2,354.4 millioa marks in 1928. This reduction is declared to be "evidence of an extraordinary elasticity in- German commerce " It is held to justify the contention that berman manufacturers and merchants can -force up exports to a j remarkable degree if they make efforts m that directions

COAL FROM BRITAIN.

There was a big increase in the imports of oil, fruits, and seeds, and imports of coal advanced partly because the German mines were not able to maintain the advantages gained during the British stoppages of 1926. Textile yarns and cotton fabrics showed the article am°ag imported finished The fall in imports is particularly marked from the United Kingdom France, Italy, and Russia, tho most "'"S being from the Aetherlauds, British India, Poland, and

British imports of coal from Germany have almost ceased, but, on the other hand, Germany has purchased a considerably larger quantity of British coal, a fact which is attributed to "further recovery from the troubles of 192G and; to better selling organisation and, policy."

There was a large increase in the import of motor-ears from the U.S.A., Itaiy, and Austria, and of motor-cycles from the United Kingdom, the U.S.A., and Belgium.

There is undoubtedly a potential market in Germany (says the report) for the British medium and light power cars if -they can be imported at a competitive price level. In 1928 the number of cars imported was 17.800 against 11,383. in 1927. '