CLOSING PORTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 159, 6 July 1940, Page 10

CLOSING PORTS.

REASONS STATED.

LOSS OF THE NIAGARA

SWEEPING FOR MINES.

(By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.j

WELLINGTON", this day.

Tho Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, to-day. outlined some of the reasons which require ports of Xcw Zealand to be closed temporarily from time to.time.

The Navy, said Mr. tTones. '"hag on innumerable occasions given evidence that it does all in its power to protect shipping and the responsible section of the public has, I am sure, ample confidence in its judgment. It is realised, however, that when it becomes known, as it must, that ships have been prevented from sailing from or entering a certain port, speculation arises as to the reason.

"After the Niagara was sunk by a mine, minesweeping operations were immediately undertaken in the vicinity of the spot where she was lost and, as the Prime Minister announced at the tltne, several mines were found. Other mines have also been swept up in other nearby localities.

This,' said Jones, "showed that all necessary steps are taken without delay to search the approaches to ports in order to safeguard ships entering and leaving.

"So," continued the Minister, '"it may be necessary in future to close port> from time to time or to restrict the movements of shipping to enable measures of safety to lie taken to ensure that no unavoidable ricks shall !>»•. run. There are other reasons why ports must sometimes be closed for a period. For instance, the naval authorities from time to time receive, information which must in all cases be investigated. Until such investigations have been completed it may be necessary in the interests of safety to close a port for a short time. Apart from the reasons I have given, ports are sometimes temporarily closed for the purpose of testing and exercfrsiii!: defences, so it will be seen that closing and opening of New Zealand ports and special measures to control shipping using the ports must be expected from time to time. This is determined l.v a variety of circumstances which cannot —for the obvious reason that information might reach the enemy and be of assistance to him—be publicly stated."