BRITAIN AND GERMANY.

Northern Advocate, 23 February 1911, Page 3

BRITAIN AND GERMANY.

NAVAL AND MERCANTILE EXPANSION.

THROUGH GERMAN EYES

German's naval expansion and her commercial development formed the subject of interesting conversation h'st night with Mr George Broeg, an extensive German traveller, who is on a second visit to New Zealand. Asked iry a "Times" reporter whether he accepted the popular idea that Germany's big naval ship-building programme was directed towards Britain, Mr Broeg replied: —

"No, I do not share that view. It is all a question of commerce, and this aspect of the matter always appears to be subordinated by many who do not understand the true German feeling. For the expansion of commerce a large mercantile fleet is absolutely necessary, and that mercantile fleet req. j ires protection. Hence a strong r.avy. Remember, we have very great commercial interests in the overseas countries. Germany has no colonies of her own to speak of, but she is fast extending her commerce throughout the world. This has grown enormously throughout the last ten years, and her export trade is increasing every year. No, I have heard no general expressions in my country amongst the people as to a desire for war. On the contrary, the view the people take ?s that a strong navy enables them to keep the peace—that is the only aspect have heard discussed. "What good would a war with Britam do Germany? In such a war Germany has everything to lose and nothing to gain, and the people feel that. The whole of the ill-feeling which exists is due to misunderstanding: of that, from a close observance and knowledge of the German character, I am absolutely certain. German commercial houses know that a war with Britain would cripple their business, and so you don't find them fostering this spirit. On the commerce depends the living of thousands and thousands of people in the Fatherland who are engaged in the manufacture of goods for English-speaking countries, which form our greatest markets. The German workman is very friendly disposed to the English workman, for they have common interests, and the representatives of the English trade unions who visited Germany last year were received with every courtesy, and ample facilities were placed in their way to intpect the factories and objects they deemed not worthy., This feeling of hostility is largely manufactured for political purposes by a section of the newspaper press. At any rate .after having studied the position on the spot for years, that is my opinion." THE SOCIALISTIC MOVEMENT. Questioned in regard to the progress of social reform in Germany, Mr Broeg remarked: "Yes, this has made immense progress during the last 10 years. Great reforms have taken place in the amelioration of the working men's conditions, the housing of the workers, and general social improvement. And this movement must continue to grow as the party behind it fets stronger in Parliament. It is a peculiar thing, perhaps, to the English mind, that in the midst of all this great labor movement, the German working man for the most part stands fast to the Army and Navy. As to insurance against unemployment, ihey have been fighting for this very hard, but it has not made as rapid progress as its ardent advocates would like to see. That, hoAvever, appears to me to be only a matter of time. Certain trade unions now have then - own schemes, and these have extended to business houses as well, who insure their men against unemployment not io a very large extent, cerainly, buc ftill it is a very useful policy. The whole subject for the adoption of a broad general scheme was receiving the earnest attention of social reformers when I left in July last. HenBebel, the leader of the Labor party, is largely responsible for many of the improvements effected within recant years in the social condition of the people. He is a great leader, a strong character admired for his qualities by friends and enemies alike. COLONIAL IMPRESSIONS. "As to New Zealand? It is like no ether country; in that remark I should include Australia. I have, I think, said almost everything there is to be said of Australasia in some lectures I gave in various towns in Germany last year. As you know, our people don't know anything at all about New Zealand. They have no idea of what the country is like. They have never heard of your eplendid. climate, your fine cities and beautiful scenery. They know of China and India, but of Australasia— i othing."