FUTURE OF KIEL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1986, 5 June 1919, Page 1

FUTURE OF KIEL.

WITHOUT A NAVAL FLEET. An interesting article in a German paper on the “Future of Kiel” deals with the problem of what is going to happen to the German naval port, now, as the writer frankly recognises, there is no longer a German fleet, states a recent publication of the “Syren.”. Kiel, as a naval centre, has been a place of slow and steady growth, becoming the chief base, first of the Prussian fleet, then of that of the North German Bund, and finally that of the defunct German Empire. In 1017 its population reached 750,000, and the question lb be solved is whether these people mostly employed in or on the late navy, will still be able to find work there. As a social centre Kiel also had some importance, the yacht -club regatta and the Seaplane attracting great numbers every year. These activities are certainly ended. As a shipbuilding centre Kiel sheltered the Kaiserlischeswerft, Germaniawerfl, and Howaldwerke, as well as the great torpedo factory at Friedrichsort. The Kaiserlischeswerft still remains the national property, and has been renamed the Rcichswerft. In the “good old days” sane men in Germany regarded (he Kiel Navy Yard as the world’s mightiest exposition of how not to do a thing. Certainly it was a model establishment in appearance, but the amount of work turned out was far less than that of any other large yard, State or private, and though' the: quality was good, (here was not the slightest attempt to operate it on a business basis. The writer of (be article says that it “’(‘ailed in every principle of economics.” Now it is advertising for the construction of merchantmen, hut (he opinion is that (lie yard will be demobilised and its equipment scrapped. “Its reputation is too bad,” besides which a yard laid out for warships cannot profitably compete with private yards for mercantile construction. The Germaniaweri't belongs to Krupp’s, and the. future of the yard depends largely on the future of Krupp’s, It has done a considerable amount of mercantile work, and, before the war, was turning out motor tankers for the D.A.P. During the war it signed up eontracts for a dozen or more 11.A.L. and N.D.L. liners, hut whether these will be carried through remains to he seen. It would not be surprising if Krupp’s built motor ships, though it would probably not be with Ghe Germania Diesel engine, which has not proved a success. Howald’s, originating in a repair yard, have maintained that side of their business through the years. They also have done a lot of merchant building, and just before the Avar booked orders for two giant liners, the Kaiser and (he Kaiserin. As the orders were hut a Icav days old Avhen Avar broke out, nothing more Avas heard of them beyond the brief announcement that they would not ho proceeded with. Presumgj)jy lloAvald’s vviJl return to building merchant ships.