The observations on this head of Consul Longford, in his report for 1886, are still deserving of attention:—
"While fully recognizing that it is only reasonable and right that English merchants in Japan should go to those producing centres which show the greatest readiness to meet and satisfy their demands, it is at the same time unfortunate that they should import the goods which they obtained from Germany with English marks and chops on them, even though the latter are only intended to acquaint native dealers with the name of the firm supplying them and not in any sense to designate the country of origin or production... for means are thus placed in the hands of the Japanese middlemen or the ultimate retailer, which may aid him considerably in selling (inferior goods) as English."
Merchandise Marks Acts.
The enactment in the United Kingdom of the Merchandise Marks Act of 1887, so largely due to the Cutlers' Company, has no doubt modified this evil at its base. It has not, however, stamped it out, partly because foreign goods can still be imported into England, plain and devoid of any indication of origin, and the detection of subsequent false marking by the few dishonest, prior to home sale or foreign exportation, is practically impossible; and partly because few foreign nations have adopted a corresponding law, or if they have, it is rarely enforced.
The Japanese Trade Mark Regulations of October, 1884, do not touch the question, and moreover have been judicially held, so Mr. Consul Hall informs me, not to apply to foreigners or foreign goods.
Purchases by Japan of Sheffield Goods.
7.—The purchases by Japan from Great Britain of those productions of iron, steel, and hardware, in which Sheffield is mainly interested, compare favourably with those from other foreign nations.
Iron Pig, Bars, Rods, Rails, etc.
8.—In pig iron, iron bars, rods, plates, sheets, and rails, Japan bought last year from England 1,424,000 dollars worth (say 235,000l.) against one-fourth that amount from Germany, and only 20,000 dollars worth from France. Even this large figure shows some shrinkage on the British import in 1888-89, while the German, although so far behind, has increased.