OUR MARITIME TRADE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 112, 17 June 1914, Page 3

OUR MARITIME TRADE.

ASSAULT BY GERMANY. Press Association. WELLINGTON, .Tune 10. Home further information regarding the assault by Germany on Australasian trade was received in business circles by to-day's Home mail. It appears tliat the German Association for World Commerce, one of the greatest trade combines ever known, has had the 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 Norddeutscher 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 of 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 Commissioner in Auckland. Already it is understood office accommodation has been secured in both Wellington and Auckland for the purposes of the commissioners. Recently German business firms subscribed £12,500 to advertise German goods in Australia. This sum was subsidised £1 for £1 by the German Govern-' meat. 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 are coming to Australasia will liaA'e the spending of £25,000 to be devoted purely to advertising.