GERMAN STEAMERS FOR NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2155, 22 May 1914, Page 7

GERMAN STEAMERS FOR NEW ZEALAND

KAISER'S INTEREST IN NORTH GERMAN-LLOYD COMPANY. By Telegraph—Press AeaTOiat-jen—Ooßrrteht London, May '20. According to tho "ShrptuiiUUiig and ■Shipping Record," Herr von Bethmaiinllollweg, the Chancellor, At the Kaiser's ■instance, secured a promise. from leading members of tho Reichstag .to grant half a million to the •NonldeutseherLlovd Company's Australian service, Tho company proposes to os'tend tho service to Now Zealand, and is arranging with a Now Zealand steamship company for a joint fortnightly service. PROSPECTS OF THE NEW VEN" TU3E. DISCUSSED AT AUCKLAND. ■ Auckland, May 31, No advice regarding the -proposed extension of the Nerd Doutsclwr-LJoyd's Australian service to Now Zealand, as reported to-day by cablegram, lias yet reached the German Consul (Sir. Carl Seegner), but he stated last ■ -evening that he,would not be surprised to learn that tho proposed extension had been undertaken. / Mr. .Seegner stated that he. has consistently urged upon the German Imperial authorities fincl shipping c<3m 7 panics during tho past twenty-five years that, a direct service should be established between Germany and New Zealand. Already, Germany's trade with the Dominion greatly exceeded the total volume of all other Continental conntries.

Mr. Seegner is confident that direct steamer communication woxilrT lie n menus of its development- tc> double art! treblo the present tolutee within a verv tow years.

■ From inquiries mask among -shipping firms m Wellington yesterday it was learned that it was probable, 'that :-om<> arrangements hart been come to 'bet'.vw the North German Lloyd Company and the Deutsch-Australisehe-Dwnpsciiiirs Qe. sillschaft for a joint eervioe to New £«- The latter company is alreadv established in the Australian tradn and as recently reported by cable has dispatched a steamer named tho Lit'dcn from Germany to New Zealand with a cargo of superphosphates. It was also stated that tho company intended running a regular service between Germany and New Zealand with a cargo of superphosphates.' It was also stated that 'tho company intended running it regular service between Germany a»d two" it threa New Zealand ports. To meet, this contingency rales on superphosphates haw already been "cut" about fis shillings per toil. The question etf the Germans entering the New Zealand trade has been the subject of much comment in shipping eirelcs and tho attention of "back" cargo has been discussed. It is a. wellknown fact that large quantities of woal aro shipped to Germany during tho seaton, and it is considered likeiv that this cargo, which usually goes to England to bo transhipped to tho Continent'., will be taken away by the German liners in future. During tho "off" season it is thought that tho new line will either load iii Australia or will ptoceed to New Caledonia to load ; ore for Germany. As far as could be ascertained in Wellington yesterday- there appeared to bo no prospect of the North German Lloyd Company coming to any arrangement with any lino trading under tho British flag.