CLOSING OF PORTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 6, 6 July 1940, Page 13

CLOSING OF PORTS

REASONS GIVEN

MINISTER'S STATEMENT

GUARDING SHIPPING

Discussing what has been done to protect New Zealand shipping since the beginning of the war, and especially since the sinking of the Niagara, the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), in an interview today, said that all necessary steps had been taken by the Navy. Further action might be taken in the future so that no unavoidable risk would be taken by shipping.

"The Navy," said. Mr. Jones, "has 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 preventd from sailing from or entering a certain port, speculation arises as to the reason.

"After the Niagara was sunk by a mine, mine-sweeping operations were immediately undertaken in the vicinity of the spot where she was lost, and, as the Prime Minister announced at the time, several mines were found; other mines have also been swept up in other nearby localities. This, said Mr. Jones, showed that all necessary steps were immediately taken to clear channels and so make certain that ships could enter and leave ports in safety. POSSIBLE FUTURE ACTION. "So it may be necessary in the future to close ports from time to time or limit the movements of shipping to enable measures of safety to be taken and to ensure that no unavoidable risks may be run," Mr. Jones continued. "There are other reasons why ports must sometimes be closed for a period; for instance, the Naval authorities from i time to time receive information which j 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 j a short time. ! "Apart from the reasons I have s given, ports are sometimes temporarily closed for the purpose of testing and exercising the defences. So it will be seen that the closing and opening of New Zealand ports and the special measures of control of shipping using the ports, must be expected from time to time, and is determined by a variety of circumstances which cannot—for the obvious reason that the information might reach the enemy and be of assistance to him —be publicly stated."