GERMAN TRADERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 105, 9 June 1914, Page 5

GERMAN TRADERS.

NEW STEAMER SERVICE. Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 8. The announcement made a few days ago that a new regular direct line of German steamers to New Zealand was about to be inaugurated covers one of the most interesting moves in the shipping world, as far as the Dominion is concerned, for many years past. At the same time, according to enquiries made by a "Times'' representative, the fact that Germany is seeking trade in these waters is going to mean a bigger thing for New Zealand than many people imagine. German steamers of ten, twelve, and probably fourteen thousand tons calling regularly at the four principal ports will mean increased port dues for harbour boards, and the opening up of trade with a country that is now competing for the mastery of the world's commerce. Very little detail has been received by the Wellington agents of the N.D.L. line (Messrs Gastendyk and Focke) regarding the new service from the Continent to New Zealand ports. The first vessel is announced to leave the Continent towards the middle of next month. The otitward route of the steamers will be via Cape Town and Hobart, thence to Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, and in some cases the Bluff. The homeward route is not yet announced, but it is anticipated that the vessels will go via South America, allowing space to pick up frozen meat from Argentina. The service is to be maintained by the steamers of the German Australian and N.D.L. lines monthly, so that there will be two steamers, one loading and one discharging, in New Zealand waters during each month. The class of cargo which is to be brought from the Continent is as yet a matter of conjecture, but in shipping and commercial circles it is anticipated that this new move, backed up by the German trade combine, means that German manufacturers intend to push new trade in the Dominion. Homeward the cargo will be principally frozen meat, mutton predominating. Germany now has an extensive trade with the Argentine in frozen beef, so that the exportation of this product to the Continent will not tie as extensive as that of frozen mutton and lamb. The German Australian steamer Linden is already on her way to New Zealand from Hamburg with a cargo of manures for Bluff, Port Chalmers, and Lyttelton. It was thought that this vessel was the first of the new line, but Mr Focke stated to-day that she has ! nothing to do with it. A cargo of phosi phates happened to be offering, and there was nothing to show that this was the beginning of the new service. In any case the new line would not be started from the Continent until July.