GERMAN SHIPPING REVIVAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2284, 2 June 1921, Page 1

GERMAN SHIPPING REVIVAL

Information received in Melbourne indicates that as soon as a settlement is reached between Germany and the Allies on the reparation question, the German-Aiistrn-lia Steamship Company will make an early effort to re-establish its pre-war shipping services to Australia and other oversea ports. There were two large German shipping companies trading to Austra-' lia Tie fore the war —the Norddeut* seller Lloyd, which had a fleet, of 30 or 35 cargo steamers, 12 large mail steamers, and a small fleet of vessels which traded between Australia and Japan; and the GermanAustralia, or Black German Line, which had a fleet of 48 cargo steamers calling at Australia. The progress of the German-Australfa Line in (he capture of the best of the Australian oversea cargo trade was almost dramatic in its suddenness. When the company first commenced operations in Australia it established a service of one steamer every three months, but before the war its steamers visited Melbourne' weekly, and it was not uncommon

to see as many as four or six la rye German liners in port at the same time. In addition, tlje company controlled steamers which ran from New York to Australian ports, taking wool and general cargo from Australian ports on the return voyage. With the expansion of [fie company's activities a regular monthly cargo service was inaugurated between Scandinavia and Australia, and the fact that live more large steamers were under construction, for the company at the out break of hostilities indicated that the exploitation of other trade routes was contemplated.