Danmarks Handel og Industri

xxn Apart from this, the view was entertained for many years, that only special branches of Danish industry were qualified for export; Denmark was devoid of everything, which in olden times was considered as necessary qualification for an industry on a large scale, first and foremost coal, iron and other natural raw materials were not to be found here, and furthermore there was no inclination to encourage an industrial development in the form of protection, subventions, bounties or such like. Under these circumstances endeavours were made, supported by capable artisans, to lead the industry in an artistic direction, or to direct the attention chiefly to the production of articles of superior quality in order to make good by this means, what Denmark was considered to be devoid of with regard to the qualifications for production on a wholesale scale. It was this movement which, by means of the productions of the Royal Danish China Factory and Bing and Grondahls’ Factory, made Danish China renowned all over the world, while at the same time, the Danish artistic ceramic productions and terra-cotta wares, silver and gold articles, the manufacture of musical instruments, furniture etc., won recognition beyond the boundaries of the country. In the latter decennaries the view entertained as regards the possibilities for the development of Danish industry has been considerably altered. The course of events has shown that the question oi raw material is not of the vital importance, which was formerly ascribed to it. It is under normal conditions a mere question of tonnage, which — with the rapid development of the means of communication, and especially in view of the excellent position of the country, and its splendid shipping connections — is of comparatively subordinate importance. The conclusive factors will be technical skill and commercial ability, and even if the years of the Great War have proved how important it is for a country to be able to depend upon its own resources and not on raw materials from other countries, there is no reason to doubt, that Danish industry now after the Great War will be capable of continuing its considerable development from before the out- break of the War, which development is illustrated by the fact that the Danish industry to a very great extent has captured the home market, and also from year to year has been able to increase its exportation. In the years 1910—1913, the last years before the outbreak of the Great War, the export value was doubled from 38 mill, to 75 mill. Kr. It is to be remembered that _________