THE "BLACK LIST."

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 213, 6 September 1916, Page 4

THE "BLACK LIST."

■According to messages received - today, the United States threatens Britain and France with, drastic retaliation if they do not withdraw their " black lists." The Senate hae adopted a reso- I lution giving the Government power to withhold clearance certificates from ships of belligerents that enforce such lists, and authorising the President to use armed force to prevent such ships leaving. In other worde, if Britain and France will not withdraw their lists, the United States may cut off trade with them. These " black liets " are lists of firms in neutral countries whose operations strengthen the eneniy, and with which British and French people are forbidden to trade. The British list operates in this Dominion. The head of the British Foreign Office's Department of Foreign Trade lias justified the list in the following terms: —" It is one of the principal leaions of the world war that the strength of st belligerent does not consist only in the resources and supplies available in its own territories, but also in those upon which it can draw from neutral countries. As a reault of the eemimilitary orgp.nisation which the German Government has imposed on its commerce, every German firm throughout the world is an outpost, seeking to do its utmost to assist Germany in her effort to dominate Europe, and the fact that they are established in neutral countries in many caees makes them more formidable and their activities less easy to combat than would otherwise be the case. Can it then be said fairly that when the British Government is fully aware of these activities, it should do nothfing to frustrate them? Can it be claimed fairly that, instead of endeavouring to frustrate them, they should be actually assisted by British firms, British cables, British banks and British shipping lines?" Germans in Germany import and export goods through these "outposts," and some of thie goods find their way into British countries. The question affects us in New Zealand, for it is notorious that, in spite of our precautions, goods made in Germany come in here by way of neutral countries. Recently an article of food of world-wide repute, manufactured in a neutral country, was put on l the prohibited list, presumably becatfse the enemy was using it as a cover for his goods. These black lists have naturally caused resentment in neutral countries. They have touched Americans in a most sensitive spot. According to the pro-Ally " Tribune," the authorities in Washington " are amazed at the outburst of i indignation throughout the country' following the British decree," and, ac-ce-ding to the anti-Ally, or, at least, anti-British " New York American, -, " Pressure stronger than, any .brought to bear the, submarine controversy with Germany is beins exerted to foron the administration ! into drastic action to end the British boycott." Britain contends that there is an American precedent for her action. When the Union blockaded the South, manjj British firms in the Bahamas continued to trade with Southern firnie. These j British companies were promptly blacklisted by the North, and London entered no protest. Moreover, Britain argues that, from the strictly legal point of view, the black list is a piece of purely domestic legislation, which simply prohibits British subjects from dealing with ■ certain persons, the right of any Government to impose such conditions on its nationals being hardly open to disputed In such a matter, however, neutral Gov- j crnments, under pressure of interests affected, may go beyond the strictly legal aspect of the case, and adopt awkward retaliatory measures. We all feel that while we are at grips with an enemy who cares nothing for law or morality we should not be harassed by neutral.*: whose battles we are fighting as well as our own, but it has long been clear that this consideration does not weigh at all heavily with neutral Governments. The American Senate is a fire-eating body, and it does not follow.; that be'eause it adopts a resolution, that resolution will be carried into effect. But if the American Government should decide to retaliate in this way, it will be a question for the British and French Governments to decide whether the pressure exerted on Germany through the black list would be worth the loss that would follow interference with their American trade. j

The American steamer Ventura, "which j lately arrived in Sydney from San Fran- i cisco, reporte that she picked up wireless messages from the station at Tuekerton, New Jersey, when she was 9000 miles distant from that place. This ia claimed | to be a world's record. The Justice Department has agreed to I supply magistrates to act ac chairmen of ,' the four Military Service Boards, which will hear appeals under the Military Service Act. There are 20 recruiting districts, but the Recruiting Board hopes that the four Boards to be set up will be able to deal with all appeals received for some time to come, perhaps for as long as the Act is in operation. The local office of the Melanesian Mission recently received a letter from the Solomon Islands, dated early in August, stating that it was expected that the mission steamer Southern Cross would be back in Auckland on about October I. It is about four months ago now since the steamer left Auckland, under Captain Burgess, who has been on her for many years now. In the letter from the Solomons, there was no mention of any abnormal conditions or incidents in the various islands visited, and life is apparently quiet on the mission field. It is reported from Wellington that the Defence authorities have now re- i ceived definite advice from the Imperial! Government that recruits are required' for service in motor auxiliary patrol vessels. Applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 35 years of age, and those who are not professional sailors will be required to have a knowledge of the sea and handling email craft as amateur yachtsmen. Men desirous of entering the service are required to notify district headquarters at Auckland. Representatives of the British Admiralty are due in the Dominion shortly, and will furnish particulars as to pay and so forth. It is understood that the applicants selected will 'be called up very soon. The Imperial Supplies Department, on behalf of the Imperial Government, has paid to New , Zealand producers to date £12,033,749. Since the Department started purchasing meat, in March, 1915, the quantity 6O purchased to date '3 975,948 quarters of beef, 3,946,930 carcases of mutton, and 5,670,792 carcases of lamb. Already 100 steamers have delivered caTgoea of meat under the purchase scheme, 18 steamers are now en route from the Dominion to the United kingdom with meat cargoes, and two are loading in the Dominion. Of the meat fleet running since tihe scheme was started one —the Clan McTavish— ias been lost. Payments ior purchases in addition to meat consist of £917,205 for 13,816 tons of cheese, and £42,693 — advanced—for 235 tons of scheelite. The Department has also purchased and delivered for the New Zealand Government butter to the value of £29,898, and cheese to the value of £14,81-1. This is ior transports and camps. In a letter from Chicago, U.S.A., Mr |T. B. Hughes, of Auckland, writing to his i father, has something interesting to jetate regarding the heat wave. He I writes: —"Yesterday was over 100 in the street, and 97 on the top of a high skyscraper. - The heat at night hag been - iYery .'frying, i.fiven. •α-t midnight-.the eury stands about 80. Bare arms, barV legs and bare chest are the order. There •have been several dozen deaths on account of the heat. The finst few weeks we found very trying, but fruit diet, minimum clothing and .acclimatisation enable us to feel more comfortable. ! I never wear a collar, seldom a hat, never coat or waistcoat. Men walk about in light pants, shoes, white or , very thin ehirt with eleeves rolled up—anyhow to keep comfortable. Even in i church it is quite proper to doff one's coat and eit in shirtsleeves. Fans are everywhere softly flapping, used by men as well-as-women. You have no idea of :the intensity of the heat." I A peculiar position wai? revealed in connection wibh a claim for ('amage-i which come before Mr. E. C. Cult , , n at the Magistrate's Court yesterday af er noon. E. 'Edwards, grocer, claimed fr:>m J Perry, farmer, a sum of £2 for damages alleged to have been caused through a collision which occurred on the Kingsland Roa.l between two ; vehicles owned by the litigants. The plaintiff contended that the collision was due to the negligent and- unskillful driv- , .ing .of the defendant. Ec Worship, j after hearing the evidence for both sides, gave judgment for the plaint ff. i Mr. Brookfield, who appeared for the 1 defendant, drew Mr. Cutten's attention i to the fact that the case had been dealt ' i v.ith and reinstated a week ago. A'ter ' paking inquiries, the magistrate found i that the case was called previously in 1 the upstairs Court. The p!a":ntiff was in . Court, but was downstairs and did hot hear his name called. As a result he was nonsuited, and costs amounted to £1 10/ , awarded against him. The net result of the case would now be that the plaintiff would Teceive 9/5 in an ; action in which he had a good claim. The magistrate remarked that it was a. , case of pure misfortune, and he could j , no* only allow liberal costs. Judgment was given for plaintiff for £2, with 7/ 1 costs and £1 'Witnesses' expenses. A witness in the betting appeal case , 'heard in the Supreme Court in Christ- , church refused to give evidence in re- ,! gard to a letter sent to a bookmaker making a bet on a horse race, on the groun-J that he might incriminate him--1; self. His Honor Mr. Justice Denniston ' i said it was always recognised that direct ' evidence in obtaining information 1 against bookmakers was difficult to obtain, but was, of course, the best. Wit- > nesses had the privilege that had been . claimed. The only way to compel ■ people to talk in cases of this kind was i by the introduction of an Act which > would deprive witnesses of eueh privi- • lege. A witness had to state his grounds of objection- In the case be- • fore him the witness would not incrimin- [ ate himself, because the letter had no , reference to the bet being at totaliaator j odds. It was not illegal for a man to i make a bet, but it was so to make one , at starting-price odds. In this case . the maker of the bet was equally liable to prosecution with the bookmaker. i At' a. eitting of the Justkee' Court, • Kawhia, on Monday, Walter Richards, of Kiritehere, was charged with the I theft of a side of bacon, the property of ■ I Forbes Bros., storekeepers, of Marakopa. I 1 Constable H. Smith stated that the theft t took place from the wreck of the ketch • Albatross, which went ashore near the . Marakopa River. Accused pleaded I guilty, and was convicted and fined £4, ! ' and restitution of ■ £1 to the Victoria I: Insurance Company, who bad paid out the loss of bacon. The proposed additions to St. Mary's , Convent, Ponsonby, for ■which tenders I have been called, comprise an art classt room, ■ cookery - and science room, with i accommodation for 25 pupils in each • room, an auxiliary dormitory for seven i pupils is also to .be erected. Tenders for the erection of the additional rooms, i which will cost about £1000, closed yesterday, but none have, yet been accepted. j Tho architect is' Mr. D. B. Pattereac, j

• During the past two months 9,053,366 Ib of frown meat was exported fromAuckland—more than four times the quantity (2,181,561 lb) exported during July and August, 1919. Thie is due in I the main to an enforced accumulation of meat in the cool stores owing to the lack of shipping facilities. The August export, however, 'has exhausted the last of | •■ the 1915-10 season's meat in store. The following are details: July—Lamb, 1176,035 lb; beef, 1,657,943 lb; total, 2,833,978 lb. August—Lamb, 849,607 lb; mutton, 821,717 lb; boned meat, 38,382, lb; beef, 4,509,682 lb; total, 6,219,388 lb. The totals for July and August, 1915, were 1,567,603 lb and 613,958 lb respectively, so that last month's export is more than ten times that of the same month last year. With a captured German floating dock in tow, the Japanese steamer Fuji arrived at Saaeho on July 11 from Tsingtau. She left the latter port on July 4 with the captured dock in tow. For the early days of the trip the dock had to be allowed to drift when adverse winds sprang up, as an attempt to tow against the wind would have snapped the cables. Tlie captured dock is 411 feet in length, and 125 feet in width, and is capable of accommodating a ship of .16,000 tons displacement. It was sunk in. Tsingtau harbour by the Germans before the capture of that place by the Japanese, but ', was refloated. The dock is to remain in ; the charge of the naval authorities at Saseho. It is valued at £500,000. "One of the men employed by this firm told mc the firm paid for a solicitor who defended him for failing to comply with the Defence Act," declared Sergt.-Major '. Dale ate the Auckland Police Court today, apropos of the fact that quite a number of drill dodgers appeared to be employed by a particular business firm in the city. The Sergeant-Major added that, of course', his authority for the , ■statement was not unimpeachable, while j ] Mr. Frazer, S.M., remarked that he | I would be greatly surprised to find that a business firm took up that attitude towards the Defence Act. 1 Sigurd Lestrup", the Danish singer, wlo ' created such a favourable impre3eion on ' Saturday evening last, will be the vocal- ; ist at the organ recital in the Town • Hall on Saturday evening next. The. 1 City Organist will play popular works ' by Guilmant, Wolstenholme and Corelli. 1 The new suede finish "Waterspray" Lingerie fabric is in great demand. A new shipment just received. We advise [ early inspection. Smith and Caughey, Ltd., wholesale and family drapers.. ' manufacturers' sole agents. —(Ad.) I Ladies would be well advised to pay a visit of inspection to Smith and Caughey'e millinery showrooms before ! i deciding upon their hew spring hats. A ' magnificent display of exclusive and ~ novelty millinery, marked at Auckland's j : lowest cash prices.—Smith and Caughey, [ Ltd., Wholesale and Family Drapers. Ad. j Economical housekeepers are now prej paring to put down their supplies of preserved cgg3. There is no preservative | like Sharland's Moa Brand Egg Preservative. Just try it.— (Ad.) I Ladies would be'well advised to pays a visit of inspection to Smith and, i Caughey's millinery showrooms before j deciding upon their new spring hats. A magnificent display of exclusive and novelty millinery, marked at Auckland's j 1 lowest cash-prices.*—Smith and Caughey, " and family Drapers. Ad I The experience of thousands of house- ! keepers proves the value of Sharland's Moa .Brand Egg Preservative. It is ; certain, reliable and economical.—(Ad.) Tobralco. — The famous British washing fabric, in newest designs and colourings. Guaranteed not to fade; requires no starch. Beware of imitations. See that name is | stamped on selvedge. f Only 1/2 per yard.—Smith and Caughey, Xtd., Wholesale and Family Drapers.—(Ad.) Year after year brings increasing proof of the value of Sharland's Moa Brand j Egg Preservative. Thousands swear by j it. Sold everywhere.— (Ad.) I i The new suede finish "Waterspray" | ; Lingerie fabric is in great demand. AI : new shipment just received. We advise: early inspection. Smith and Caughey,! , Ltd., wholesale and family drapers, f manufacturers' sole agents. —(Ad.) j 1 You cannot do without Sharland's Moa i i Brand Egg Preservative if you want to > preserve eggs. It is always reliable, and j the eggs are kept sweet and good.—(Ad.) i_.. . . .