GERMAN SHIPPING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22166, 20 July 1935, Page 13

GERMAN SHIPPING

DEVELOPMENT SCHEME BUILDING ADEQUATE VESSELS LONDON, July 11 Germany has prepared an ingenious scheme to consolidate and develop her shipping, in readiness for the day when, it is hoped, the nation again will possess colonies. The plans are Concentrated on a triangular area in the Atlantic, from Hamburg to South America, returning to Germany via South Africa. Exploitation of a limited sphere will enable maximum results to be achieved with a minimum subsidy and the Atlantic offers many advantages, including freedom from canal dues and safe waters, as the British Navy ensures peace. Germany will take manufactured goods to South America and South Africa, and in return will carry raw materials, ensuring full cargoes throughout. An important part of the scheme is the barter agreement with South Africa by which Germany will receive wool for her manufactures.

The Anglo-German naval agreement is closely associated with this policy, as it will enable Germany to keep an adequate fleet to protect her Baltic interests without patrolling the Atlantic. Preparatory to the new services, Germany is building the most efficient vessels possible. They will carry big cargoes and a limited number of passengers, and will provide the basis of a larger merchant fleet as trade expands. 1 The ships also will be capable of rapid conversion into armed merchantmen.