HERR DERNBURG'S FALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 134, 8 June 1910, Page 5

HERR DERNBURG'S FALL.

CONSERVATIVE VICTORY, END Or AN E—PEB—_ENT.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright)

BERLIN, June 7.

Since Prince Buelow's fall, and the renewal of the Conservative and "Centre" Alliance, Herr Dernburg (German Minister for the Colonies), -who has resigned owing to the Reichstag's decision to compel the diamond companies in German South-West Africa to contribute to the cost of quelling the Herero revolt, has been compelled to fight against increasing odds.

The Conservatives are necessarily opposed to a primarily commercial colonial policy. Among other reasons they fear that the imposts will hurt the agrarian interests. They moreover include a num-

-r of former colonial administrators, who resent the reversal of the former policy. Secondly, the "Centre" party, owing to the circumstances of Herr Demburg's appointment and his successful election campaign of 1907, is his natural

Finally, regarding the all-important question of the relations between the Conservatives and Non-Socialist parties of the Left, the resignation is a fresh victory for the agrarians over industrial interests, and tends to widen the gulf exhioited by the collapse of the Prussian Franchise Bill.

The resignation marks the end of the most remarkable Ministerial experiment in modern German history, and illustrates the deep divisions between economic interests and social traditions underlying the country's politics. Herr Dernburg starts shortly on a tour to Japan and the Far East.

The "Times," commenting on the outlook, says that it will be serious for the Conservatives at the next election. The

i "Centre" is safe if it continues to hold I its own against the Socialists, but the other parties of the order will be called to account because they have helped to render an office untenable for an abla and energetic representative of the be.st type of German business.