NEW BLOCKADE MEASURES

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23087, 1 August 1940, Page 7

NEW BLOCKADE MEASURES

CONTROL EXTENDED TO FRANCE ALL SHIPPING TO BE « NAVICERTED ” (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received July 31, 8 p.rn.) RUGBY, July 30. The House of Commons heard two important statements announcing measures which will elisuFe the continued efficiency of the relentless economic pressure beihg exerted by Britain upon Germany. Henceforth any consignment and any ship sailing to or from any European and certain other ports, and not covered by a “navicert,” will be liable to seizure. The Minister for Economic Warfare (Mr. Hugh Dalton) explained the reasons for this decision ahd showed how the system would work. He denied that Great Britain intended to .extend the blockade to certain neutral countries. The Minister for Shipping (Mr R. H. Cross) said that shipping not taking advantage of the navicert system would no longer be given facilities under British control such as bunkering, repairing, or' insurance. Mr Dalton said: “The German occupation of the west European coastlihe from North Cape to the Pyrenees has greatly changed the conditions of the economic war. The German armies have succeeded in oven-running large parts of western Europe, but the overseas imports which they require are still barred from the seas commanded by the Royal Navy. Many fewer ships arc now engaged in legitimate neutral trade between Europe and the Americas, “Moreover, we must now control not only shipping approaching the Mediterranean or North Sea but all shinping crossing the Atlantic. To apply this control in the old way would mean diverting many ships far out of their course to contraband bases in British waters, either in this island or West Africa. To avoid imposing such grave inconveniences upon shippers, shipowners. and crews, His Majesty’s Government has decided to extend the navicert system to all seaborne goods consigned to any European port, as well as to certain Atlantic islands and certain neutral norts in North Africa. “In future, drips sailing from a neutral port In any such destination must obtain navicerts for all items of cargo, and, in addition, a ship navicert at the last port of loading. Any consignment not naviccrted, and any ship without a ship navicert, will henceforth be liable to Seizure by our patrols.” French Territory Affected Recalling a statement earlier this month concerning the application of the contraband control to French territory under enemy control, Mr Dalton said: “After a most careful review of all the circumstances, Britain has now decided with regret that in the present conditions It must treat all metropolitan Prance, as well as Algeria, Tunis, and French Morocco, in the same manner, for the purposes of contraband and enemy export control, as enemycontrolled territory. Goods destined for these territories are therefore liable to be seized as contraband, and goods originating In or owned by persons in such territories are liable to be placed in prize. "These steps which I have now announced are designed to smooth the path of genuine neutral trade, while increasing the strength of our blockade and avoiding all unnecessary calls upon the Royal Navy.” Mr Cross said the course oi. the war made necessary new measures for the control of shipping. “Hitherto,” he said, “the widespread and important shipping facilities under British control have been freely available to all vessels. Such facilities include drydocking. repairing, insurance, stores, and many minor services. It is not reasonable that these facilities should continue to be freely available to shipowners who do not render commensurate service in return or to those who fail to satisfy Britain that they will refrain from carrying on trade which would be injurious to the Allied war effort. The possession of a ship’s navicert for every voyage to which the navicert system applies will be essential.” Those giving acceptable Undertakings would receive a “ship’s warrant,” which would secure them th continuation of British shipping facilities, while ships unable to_ produce this document would be . übject to inquiries on each occasion that they desired shipping services while under British Control. This scheme would come into operation forthwith. Mr Cross added: “It has been suggested in some quarters we intend to extend the blockade to certain neutral countries. This is not so. Where supplies can reach such neutrals without risk of their falling into the hands of the enemy. we‘shall grant navicerts on such a scale as 1o allow imports adequate for domestic consumption, but not for re-export to other _ countries. Moreover, it will be Britain’s policy not merely to allow such hdeciuate supplies to pass through our controls, but to assist neutral countries to obtain them. ~ , “These measures will greatly benefit those engaged in honest neutral trade. Delays in such trade, due to the exercise of our controls, will be much reduced. At the same time a heavy blow will be struck at those who seek to elude our controls and carry supplies either to or from the enemy.” MOVE WELCOMED IN AMERICA (Received July 31, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 31. It is revealed that the Government kept full contact with America during the discussions leading to the extension of the navicert system. It is believed the Americans welcome the extension which is described as transferring contraband operations “from the seas to the quays.” • A feature of the change is the allowance of two months’ supplies lor neu truls for domestic purposes. The Atlantic islands mentioned arc the Azores, Cape Verde, and Canary islands. The North African PoUs aie those in Spanish Morocco and > fangier. Scrap Metals from Bahamas—Residents of Nassau, in the Bahamas, Rave formed a war materials committee to gather scran metal for the British Government. More than £2OOO worth of lead, copper, brass, and other materials has been collected Mready. Numerous wrecks found round the islands ere being salved and metals from them cut up.—Rugby, July 80.