A GERMAN CLAIM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5279, 8 June 1895, Page 6

A GERMAN CLAIM.

The Tongan correspondent of the Ncio Zealand Herald Eays :— We are threatened with a visit from a German gunboat ; in facb, we may exp.cb her here next week, presumably with decks cleared for action and guns double-shotted, in order to carry out a little game of bluff which the German Trading Company are having with the Tongan Government at present. The action arises out of, or rather is the long-drawn out continuation of a matter which happened when George tho First was king aed the Bey Shirley Baker hiß Prime Minieter. The latter was tben the head of the Weß.eyan Church, and desiring, it is said, that year to send a large money contribution to headquarters in Sydney, but the natives not being oveiburdened with each, ho raised a loan from the German Trading Company, afterwards making advances to the natives, who were thus enabled to contribute to the missionary collections in the ordinary way, the money being afterwards sent to Sydney. Those who obtained advances from Mr Baker gave ia return their I O U's for their amounts to be paid in copra, and all these litth? notes of hand were in turn handed over to tho Germany company as security for the loan. So far, the loan was a successful deal. So far, but very little further . for the notes of hand were dishonoured ; and after long years of negotiation the matter is going to be brought to a head by force of arms if necessary. The German Company seeks to mnke the Tougan Govern* ment responsible.