25th BIU Anniversary - 1955

Print

Article taken from February 1955 edition, AngloDania - official journal of the British Import Union.



In this month, 25 years ago, the BRITISH IMPORT UNION was founded. It was but a short time after that black Tuesday in Wall Street when the great world crisis broke out. In view of this, it was natural for a circle of Danes to seek means of developing trade between Great Britain and Denmark. Then, as now, Great Britain was the main purchaser of Danish exports, whilst Denmark bought relatively few goods from Britain. It was clear that if we wished to sell more goods to the British market we must also buy more over there.

On this background, and with the desire to strengthen the traditional goodwill for Great Britain, MR. JOHS. BORRE, MR. A. K. DUTHIE and MR. CARL STAGSTED came together in order to form an association of importers of British goods. The first General Meeting was held at Dagmar Hotel on February 14, 1930. A circle of prominent business men had been invited, and the association, which immediately took the name of Danish Association of Importers of British Goods, which was later altered to British Import Union, was quickly supported by a broad section of the importers. As chairman it was natural to elect Mr. Stagsted, now the only honorary member of the Union. He directed the Union for more than seven years, during which time membership steadily increased.

The Union was recognised as a branch association under the Merchants' Guild, though it was a highly unusual one. Preparations, for example, were immediately begun for a British exhibition. This took place in 1931 and was —judged by the Union's later standard — of modest extent. It was held primarily to discover whether there was a basis for an all-embracing exhibition which could open the eyes of the Danish public to the fact that, when it was a matter of quality goods, Great Britain was the natural supplier.

The exhibition in 1931 awakened so much interest that the board immediately started preparing afresh exhibition, which was held in 1932. This was a giant exhibition, which was not only a Copenhagen event above the ordinary, but also awakened great attention in the rest of Denmark and in neighbouring countries.

Whereas the 1931 exhibition could be housed in the old building of the Industrial Council, it was necessary in 1932 also to take in Tivoli, Forum and the Museum of Applied Art. The initiative was a daring one, as this exhibition, like those later, was held completely on the Union's account and at its sole risk. But the results — both in regard to direct sales and the long-terms stimulation of the import of British goods —fulfilled all expectations. For a fortnight Copenhagen was turned literally upside down. Numerous displays of a most festive character showed the close economic and cultural connexion between Great Britain and Denmark. It was already certain that a British Exhibition was something that no one should fail to see. Great Britain's importance for Denmark was rammed home in no uncertain fashion, and this was beneficial for us in the difficult years of the 1930s. The then CROWN PRINCE FREDERIK was the patron of the exhibition with the PRINCE OF WALES, who came over here and confirmed his reputation as Prince Charming.

The efforts of the British Import Union during the restrictions in the 1930s are a chapter for themselves. The many negotiations concerning trade with Great Britain were held in a friendly spirit, and the Union performed — with due regards for Danish production — a big work to assure a more equal trade between the two countries. The British share in our imports gradually rose, and this was a good thing for both Danish consumers and the agricultural export to Britain. The time was approaching when a new British exhibition should be held. However, the Occupation temporarily severed connexions with our main supplier and consumer. The plans for the exhibition were laid aside, but not forgotten. For jive long years the offices of the Union were unused. The archives and the list of members were stored in a safe place in order not to cause difficulties for members and friends of the Union.

The Union did not reopen until May 5, 1945, and members of the Union made special efforts to resume the broken connexions across the North Sea. Another unusual chapter was added to the annals of the Union. That was the period of the Supply Mission, when private business men had to step in and assist in the realisation of large-scale State trading to assure the necessary import for a Denmark craving for goods. In the meantime imports quickly passed into private hands again. The board of the Union, which was then directed by the present president, MR. CHR. SAUGMAN, carried out a great and selfless work, and played a big part at the laborious negotiations during the nightmare of restrictions during the first post-war years.

The Union considered that a new British exhibition would be the best way of showing the Scandinavian public that Great Britain had not only won the war, but was also energetically engaged in regaining lost markets. The third exhibition was thus held in 1948. This was the first major exhibition in Denmark since the inter-war years.

It is no exaggeration to say that Copenhagen had never experienced an exhibition like it. It opened under the patronage of KING GEORGE VI and KING FREDERIK IX, with fanfares by the popular Scottish military bands. The opening itself was performed by THE DUKE and DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER in the festive Town Hall of Copenhagen. Under thousands of banners and festoons they drove to the five exhibition centres: Forum, Tivoli, Gutenberghus, the Royal Riding School, and Magasin du Nord. Consumers were delighted at the sight of the splendid English and Scottish textiles and the many other goods which were displayed like a cornucopia for the more than one million visitors to the exhibition. The business world was given an opportunity to discover the important progress made by the British in the machine and automobile industries and in a number of other fields.

The exhibition created much reciprocal goodwill between Great Britain and Denmark. It is still remembered as the most impressive exhibition in North Europe at a time when everyday life was stamped by British Austerity and, by enormous Danish foreign currency difficulties and restrictions.

It is nearly seven years since the last British exhibition. During the intervening period economic conditions have undergone great changes. Then there was a shortage of commodities, whilst now there is a rich variety of goods on offer. A seller's market has been replaced by a buyer's market, and competition has increased very considerably in consequence, not only in the international market, but also in the Danish. However, Great Britain clearly maintains her leading position amongst the countries that supply us. This is primarily due to people turning particularly to Britain when it is a matter of quality. It is true, as stated by the Secretary-General of the Federation of British Industries, SIR NORMAN KIPPING, at a members' lunch last June, that those who last saw two years ago what British industries can do, are hopelessly behind the times today. In the electron industry, the automobile industry, and in a large number of other branches, Great Britain has made such great progress that the Danish public should be given the opportunity to assure itself at first hand of this. The British Exhibition of 1955 will be the biggest exhibition yet seen in Northern Europe; it will display the finest productions of which British industry is capable. The exhibition has already been over-subscribed, and many public attractions, far eclipsing anything previously witnessed at exhibitions in Denmark, have been in course of preparation for some time. In other words, it will be the British exhibition for the whole of Copenhagen, the rest of Denmark and Northern Europe. *

Even this short sketch of the history of the Union must not omit its activities as representative for Denmark of the ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE and the SCOTTISH COUNCIL FOR INDUSTRY AND DEVELOPMENT. The Union is in close and constant touch with both the Chambers of Commerce and the Scottish Council in order to establish more and more links between British and Danish trade.

It should also be mentioned that ,,Anglodania", which next year will be able to celebrate its 25th anniversary as the Union's journal, helps month by month, under the editorship of MR. AXEL PREMER, to disseminate knowledge of British trade; its comprehensive information about British industry makes useful reading for all friends of Britain.

During the past years the British Import Union has won for itself a sure position in Danish commercial life and in the eyes of the public. It has always tried not only to promote trade between Great Britain and Denmark, but also to knit bonds of friendship between the two countries. It can be said, for example, that the British exhibitions have not only served to foster commercial interest, but have also tried to show the population of Denmark that they are closely connected with Great Britain in many other spheres, and can but benefit from the strengthening of the bonds of friendship.

The jubilee has not been celebrated by any form of festivity, but merely by this brief reference to 25 years of activity. The Union has been fully engaged for a long time in arranging the coming exhibition. All its trustees are working at high pressure to create the best possible frame for this great exhibition, which opens on September 29th. Not until the Annual General Meeting next month will the day be quietly celebrated by a social gathering of members.