SUBSIDISED COMPETITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9656, 22 November 1909, Page 4

SUBSIDISED COMPETITION.

It is a noteworthy declaration which the "Kolnische Zeitung" makes ns to (ha drection in which German shipping policy must aim in the future. It is suggested that there are now no new territories for German shipping to conquer, and that its principal task must be to protect its acquisition against the assaults of powerful competitors. Complaint is made, under this head, of measures adopted by f.ireien Governments, which tend to place German ma:itime interests at a disadvantage. The new Spanish shipping law, subsidy, projects in France, and in the United States, and measures proposed by half a dozen other nation*, are referred to as constituting a disagreeable situation. The stat-ment is made that Germany would be ready to take part in international negotiations directed towards checking the excessive growth of protection in the shipping trade. It goes without remark that the subsidised competition at which the Germans grumble is equally experienced by British shipowners, and in a far fuller measure. Yet they have not gone the length of suggesting that international action should be invoked, possibly because they are under the impression that the effort would be fruitless.