“RUM-RUNNING” TO AMERICA

Evening Star, Issue 18393, 29 September 1923, Page 11

“RUM-RUNNING” TO AMERICA

A PERFECTLY LEGAL PROPOSITION.

Tho Government’s powerlessncss to den] with tho flagrant whisky-running proposal of an Irish baronet, who invited subscriptions from tho public towards tho purchase of 5,000 cases of whisky “ for sale on tho high seas,” exemplifies tho difficulties with which the Foreign Office has to contend in the negotiations with the United States (says a writer in tho London ‘ Observer.’) Though it was stated in Parliament that the Government is considering tho whole subject of the liquor which notoriously is being exported in largo quantities from this country for smuggling purposes, no action is apparently contemplated to deal with this particular case. The limited powers possessed by the authorities in such cases were explained to a representative of the ‘ Observer.’ In tho touting circular in which this specific proposal was put forward, it was stated that 5,000 cases of whisky are to be shipped abroad, to bo paid for twenty miles from the shore, that tho vessel which lias been chartered can carry 5,000 cases more, and that the public aro invited to participate in this adventure and reap a profit of 20 per cent, in sixty days. This plan is described by tho author as “a perfectly legal commercial proposition.’ Whatever may be thought of tho scheme itself, the statement appears to bo literally accurate, and it is understood that legislation would be required to deal with it.

So far ns the Customs Department is concerned, its function is confined to seeing that duty is not evaded, and when spirits aro taken out of bond and exported they have no further control. The port of destination is, of course, indicated in the ship’s manifest, but in practice tho destination of goods is frequently changed at sea, on instructions received by wireless. In proved cases of false manifest, of course, the Customs can take effective action, but the high degree of discretion with which this discreditable traffic is carried on ensures that evidence of this kind is exceedingly difficult to obtain.