20
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE :
imported into and exported from Germany in each of the last five years
for which we have information have been—
Years,
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Imports,
Million kilogs.
2-7
7-8
6 0
5*9
6 1
Exports.
Million kilogs.
20 1
216
217
23 1
25 6
On the average of these five years Germany has exported under existing
conditions four times as much in the way of cotton piece goods as she has
imported. Even from the Protectionist point of view these figures afford a
strong argument against the need for further protection by increased
duties on imports.
As to woollen tissues (cloths and stuffs), the German official figures of
importa and exports in the same five years are as follow :—
Years
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Imports.
Million kilogs.
20
15
1-7
17
2 0
Exports.
Million kilogs.
25 2
23 7
219
215
22 7
Here again the exports under existing conditions have been about 13
times the imports on the average of the five years.
As to finished iron and steel—that is, all forms of iron and steel except
pig and scrap iron, but including cutlery, firearms, and machinery— the
figures are —
Years.
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Imports.
Million kilogs.
84*2
103-7
115-9
164-0
156-0
Exports.
Million kilogs.
1,325-7
1,264-0
1,353 8
1,274-7
1,358-1
These figures tell a similar tale to those quoted above. The exports in the
five years have been nearly 11 times the imports on the average, and no case
can be based upon this statement for increased protection.
Instances of this sort might easily be multiplied, both as regards other
descriptions of goods (e.g., earthen and china ware) and as regards details of
the groups of articles referred to above {e.g., hosiery, iron wire, sheet
steel, &c.).
We assume that the object of the proposed increase in duties is either to
obtain additional revenue for the State or to afford additional protection to
German manufactures. But it will be admitted that the increase of duties
beyond a certain point necessarily entails a reduction and not an increase
of State revenue; while the necessity of further protection in the three
great groups of articles to which we have referred seems to be effectually
disposed of by the figures we have quoted. Whatever was the intention in
framing the new scale of duties, however, the result as regards cotton,
woollen, and iron goods would apparently be to give a virtual monopoly of
the home market to German manufacturers, who, in the absence of outside
competition, and by means of combinations, would be enabled to fix home
prices at their own will, while the German consumer would have to bear
