Gentleman's gentleman
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ERICH KRAMPE, managing director of Mercedes-Benz (United Kingdom) Ltd, seems to have been persuaded that an inherent quality of an English gentleman is the ability to reel off side-splitting jokes in afterluncheon speeches. Erik Johnson, one of the most gentle of public relations men, apparently tried to get him into the way of it before the announcement of the excellent new range of Mercedes-Benz petrol-engined vehicles to the Press.
According to the managing director, Erik had counted without his chief's Teutonic character and he would remain a "German guest worker". If all English gentlemen could deliver a speech in English as well as this welcome guest, they would have reason to be pleased with themselves.
He regards Britain and Germany as allies in resisting the Japanese invasion of Europe but said they would harm themselves by starting a trade war. The capture by the Japanese of 24 per cent of the British van market in the first two months of the year was a matter for concern but not for resolution by market restrictions.