German Aggression

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 23, 17 June 1914, Page 5

German Aggression

ASSAULT ON AUSTRALASIAN TRADE.

BY ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMBINES KNOWN.

Per Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Some further information regarding the assault by Germany on Australasian trade was received in business circles by to-day's Home mail. It appears that the German Association for World Commerce, one of the greatest trade combines ever known, has had ttys present move in mind for considerably over 18 months. When the mail left England, there was apparently no concern in German trade circles regarding the Nord-deutscher-Lloyd contract. It was a foregone conclusion that the contract for the Australian .service would not be allowed to lapse. The most important development in connection with Germany's new move, however, has just come to light. A Times representative learned yesterday that two trade commissioners appointed by the Association for World Commerce would arrive in 'New Zealand about the beginning of September, One of them will take up permanent quarters in Wellington, and the other will be stationed in Australia.

Later, it is proposed to open a branch office for the German Trade Commissioners in Auckland. Already, it is understood, office accommodation has beeri' secured in both Wellington and Auckland for the purposes of the Commissioner.

Recently German business firms subscribe'! £12,500 to advertise German goods in Australia. This Bum was su£ sidised £ for £ by the German Government. This, it is stated, was at the instigation of the Kaiser, who is reported to be taking an extraordinary amount of personal interest in the new development. ' It is understood" that the two German commissioners who arc coming to Australasia will have the spending oi the £28,000, to be devoted purely to advertising.