THE MONITORS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9171, 11 October 1915, Page 6

THE MONITORS

WHAT ME THEY PREPARING FOR P 'SUOOlistfiD LANDING ON BELGIAN COAST. JJy Telegraph—Press' Association-Copyright LONDON, October 8. A. IT. Pollen, a naval writer, in "Land anti Water,” hints that since the. Admiralty proved the usefulness of monitors in August, 1914, on , the Belgian coast, it has built a large 'number, so- constructed -..as to defy mines and torpedoes. They carry guns capable of coping with the German coastal batteries. During the recent bombardment of the Belgian coast German reports placed the number of bombarding vessels at thirty, principally monitors. . Mr I’ollcir adds: “Tim Germans are much alive to the danger of a landing on a- grand scale following up those bombardments.” ISLAND TRADE A GERMAN MONOPOLY. Ji/ ’ avaegraph—Press Asoooiatioa— Copyright SYDNEY. October 9.. The publication of Air Anderson s remarks in tbe Auckland Oiiambor ol Commerce regarding the Gorman trade -'-'monopoly in Tonga and Samoa has attracted 'wide attention. Representatives of shipping circles prefer to say nothing respecting the supplying- of goods, 'to the linn -mentioned, ahoyagree that if Australia and Now Zealand refused to maintain tho supplies, America would readily till the brcacn. One adds that America- is probably getting a share of the import trade already, ami is certainly getting a ■ Kfeator- shur© of tlio oxporta than .all other rations together. In the last f-’-x months an average of one, schooner a month lias been arriving at Samoa from San Francisco, carrying from four to sUc hundred lions, and taking away copra. It is fairly certain that tho vessols do not come empty. . [Tho Auckland Chamber of Com- ' • morons, said tho- ‘‘Xcw Zealand Horaltl ■ of September 27th, is investigating <or-. - tain 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 sub- ' jeefc, the" vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce. Air E. Anderson, said that tho question had boon brought nn- ' dor the notice of tho chamber by a let•ter from Mr Neville Newcomb. I. ho -- ' writer had stated that the -D.H- and ' 1 P.G; Company, -whose headquarters fro ! in Hamburg, was still, in competition with British firms operating in the . Pacific Islands. Tho company owncc., or held, under charter, a boat called tho Elfriedo, which, after the outbreak of tho war. was seized and taken possession of in Nukualofa harbour by tho British authorities. It was alleged that tho company hild then chartered tho ■ boat Lizzie Taylor, now in Auckland, and was trading as usual with Auckland and Australian firms. “The Auckland firms have been interviewed by . tho chamber,” Air Anderson remarked, “and they ask what else are they to do c The German firm holds the monopoly of trade. If the Auckland merchants do not supply them the Sydney merchants will. And they say further •■Chat if Australia and New Zealand refused to keep up these supplies America would very readily step into the broach: There seems to bo some little doubt as to the charterers of tho Lizzie Tavlor.” Air Anderson added that not only did the German firm continue its ' extensive trade with islands that were 'British protectorates, hut it still carried on most of-the business with our re-cently-acquired possession,.--...- .Samoa. He had written to the Prime Aliniter, and asked him whether ho should bo prepared to semi a protest to tho Imperial authorities.]

ITALIAN AEROPLANES BOMB,AUSTRIAN HEADQUARTERS By Telegraph—press Association—Copyright (Received October 11, 1 a.m.) ROME, October 10- ' A communique states: “Fourteen Italian aeroplanes bombed the beadquarters of . ouo of the Austrian high, commands at Cortanjerica, also encampments ia,t Appnchiasclla and Nebresina railway station." HESPERIAN HEROES PRESENTATION TO OFFICERS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, October 9. Mr Runcinum, President of the I Board of Trade, has made presentations • to the captain and officers of tho. He-s-1 perian in recognition of their heroism. TROOPSJN EGYPT LIQUOR AND MORALITY. ' !By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright MELBOURNE, October 9. Replying to the Government's ini qniry regarding the control of Jiqnor ./.ulid military morality in Egypt, the commanding officer cables that the ro- , ports are much exaggerated, and. stops have been taken to control the sale of liquor.'