GERMAN DIAMONDS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 763, 11 March 1910, Page 8

GERMAN DIAMONDS.

Speaking on January 13 before the Budget Commission of the Eeiohstag on the Supplementary estimates ■ for German South-West Africa, Herr von Dernburg, Secretary for the Colonies, energetically defended the Colonial Office against tho attacks made on its diamond concession, policy. "Under the control of the Colonial Administration, he pointed out the price of diamonds from South-West Africa had risen from 225. to 335. per carat. With regard to the reservation of,the Sperrgcbiet, he said it was unnecessary for him tD make further ■ explanations, since the step was universally acknowledged to be justified. The idea of the German Colonial Company ceased with tho termination of, the reservation in the Sperrgebiet on If arch 31, 1911,'' was entirely false. Every prospector's claim was derived, i.i the'first instance, said .Herr von Dernbnrg, from the Colonial Company. The entire district, .'with .-'all.-the land and mining rights, had been sold by. Luderitz Bay, all of whose rights devolved on the comi-any. It' was. untrue that treasures had been taken fro mthe land' while debts remained. ' The Diamond Lease Company paid 75 per cent, of its net profits to the Treasury. Of the rest, the greater part remained in tho colony and only 2\ per cent, reached the Berlin shareholders. "We do not,", said Herr von. Dernburg, "conduct our policy for the benefit of 250 people in Luderitz Bay, but for the benefit of the German Empire." He had reserved the Sperrgohist in the interest of those who had rights there, who were Germans and who had sunk capital there in order to avoid piratical mining and swindling. .'•-.'■ In the course of the subsequent discussion,, general approval was expressed of the Ministerial statement. Herr Arendt (Imperial party) said the entire population, of the colony were in the grip of the "get-rich-quickly swindle. . The slock exchange swindling at ■'Ludorite • Boy. exceeded anything hitherto known. . . The debate was adjourned. . •