THE ISLAND TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16033, 27 September 1915, Page 7

THE ISLAND TRADE.

GERMAN FIRM'S POSITION.

STILL TRADING WITH SAMOA.

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce is investigating certain allegations that New Zealand and Australian firms are trading with a German firm, which still enjoys a monopoly of trade in the Friendly Islands and Samoa.

In a statement on the subject, the vicepresident of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. E. Anderson, said that the question had been brought under the notice of the chamber by a letter from Mr. Neville Newcomb. . The writer had stated that the D.H. and P.G. Company, whose headquarters are in Hamburg, was still in competition with British firms operating in the Pacific Islands. The company owned, or held under charter, a boat called the Elfriede, which, after the outbreak of war, was seized and taken, possession of in Nukualofa Harbour by the British authorities. It was alleged that the company had then chartered the boat Lizzie Taylor, now in Auckland, and was trading as usual with Auckland and Australian firms. "The Auckland firms have been interviewed by the chamber," Mr. Anderson remarked, "and they ask what else are they to do? The German firm holds the monopoly of trade. If the Auckland merchants do riot supply them the Sydney merchants will. And thev say further that if Australia and New Zealand refused to keep up these supplies America would very readily step into the breach. There seems to be some little doubt as to the charterers of the Lizzie Taylor." Mr. Anderson added that* not only did the German firm continue its extensive trade with islands that. were British protectorates, but it still carried on most of rfhe • business .with our recently-acquired possession, Samoa. He had written to the Prime Minister, and asked him whether he would be prepared to send a protest to the Imperial authorities. In the meantime the chamber would- fully discuss the matter at its next meeting.