GERMAN TRADING COLONY.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 507, 10 April 1880, Page 2

GERMAN TRADING COLONY.

Ihe l/reauer lias recently received a dispatch from the Agent-General relative to the establishment of the German Maritime Trading Company, which lias been floated with the primary object of taking over the assets ot the company formed by Messrs Goddelroi. Sir Julius Vogel is of opinion that its operation will be on a far more extended scale than those of the old concern, as the capital embarked is much larger. Sir Julius says—“ It is worthy ot notice that the extent of the risk of the German Government is only £IS,UU(J for twenty years, although the guarantee is for 4£ per cent. The actual extent to which the gains of the company are to be supplemented is limited to J per cent., or £15,000 a-year, or half-a million sterling. With this comparatively trifling encouragement, shares were subcribed for twice over, ami a great national enterprise started.” The company will turn its attention to Transatlantic trade purchase, and the working of factories, mills, and plantations, particularly in the South Sea Islands. The full design of the AgentGeneral’s dispatch is to endeavour to awaken public interest in New Zealand in the formation of a similar company, and he argues it would be politic for the Government of the colony to follow the example set them by the German Empire, and guarantee a minimum dividend. No doubt the writer of the dispatch feels unusually interested in this project, for so long ago as 1874 he brought a similar scheme prominently forward, though without success. He backs up his opinion by arguments of considerable weight, though scarcely strong enough, we imagine, to induce the New Zealand Government to move in the matter. It is difficult to get people to look far ahead ; and though there may be some ground » .. for fearing that the German Company may do New Zealand commerce some damage, the contingency is not likely (o arise for some time to come. — Chronicle.

Tk Whiti and tuk Commission.— Mr Parris lias returned from Parihaka. whither he had gone to communicate to Te Whiti the nature of the ad interim recommendations made by the Native Commission, and and the intention of the Government respecting them. We understand that he was received witli profuse kindness and marked courtesy by the Maoris, but that Te Whiti preserved studious reticence ns to his own views, and could not be induced to give any expression of opinion at all. The aspect of the Parihaka Natives is reported to be entirely peaceful, nearl}' all being actively engaged in sowing wheat for next season’s crop. There are still a good many Maori visitois from other parts of the colony, but the total number of Natives at Parihaka is said not to exceed a few hundreds. The general impression in the neighbourhood is that To Whiti is rapidly coming to an end of his prophetic resources, and that unless he can persuade the Commission to visit Parihaka and wait on him, he feels his mana to bo in a very precarious condition. —FosL