As far back as 1878, the steamship company Netherland had tried to establish a regular steamship service between Netherland-India and China and Japan, but these efforts, mot with no eucowss, largely because the government did not want to give the necessary assistance in the first most difficult years of operating such a service.
In after years the founding of such a service was again tried by Dutch shipowners, but without success. Consequently after such experiences courage and optimism were required to start a new trial.
The following shipowners, Messrs. hr. LP.D. op ten Noort. E. Held-ring, A.D, de Morez Oyens en Bern E. Ruys, wore, however, absolutely convinced that 'a regular service between the Dutch Bast Indies, China and Japan would prove profitable in the end and so they renewed their efforts in the spring of 1,900 and this time they were successful. was, however, clear that no success could be expected if the Government did not give assistance for the first few years, and consequently the founders of the J.C.J.L. negotiate a contract with the government, on the strength of which they would de granted a yearly subsidy by the; Government.
The principal terms of this agreement were, that the company was ound to give every year at least pal ports in China and Japan Forthor the ships had to be built Holland and were to be construct according to plans approved by was placed in the hands of Mr.
J. Roosegaarde Bissehop, who was that time agent at Singapore of Do Scheepsagentuur which firm then represented nearly all the Dutch] steamship companies in the Far] East.
In 1904 the war between Russia end Japan caused a slump and in Inter yours keen competition was experienced fiom Norwegian' ships; in consequence the freight rates were. Tow and cargoes scarce.
In 1911 the revolution in China interrupted trade again, but at last towards 1912 conditions commenced to be more favourable. In 1914 on the outbreak of the world war a temporary reaction took place, but! soon rates began to recover and as. the shortage of tonnage during the war became more and more acute} they reached a very high level.
In the meantime the working results although modest, had not been bad, From the founding of the company till 1913 shareholders received an average of five per cent.
dividend a year and in the last mentioned year the company commenced to repay the subsidies granted by the government.
Trading During War As explained above. rates soared high during the war and remained at a very profitable level during the first years Mhereafter, whilst the amount of cargo offering was con-iderable. Consequently the company experienced some very prosperous years. All the subsidies were refunded and not only did the shareholders receive some very handsome dividends, but also the extension of the fleet was given due attention, whilst considerable reserves were formed.
In ce-operation with the Nether Tand and Rotterdam Lloyd steamship companies, a regular service between the Dutch' East Indies and the west coast of America was opened.
After 1920 very difficult years fol-Jowed and although conditions are at present far from favourable, the company thas row consolidated its position to such an extent that the future may be looked forward to with confidence.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.