SMUGGLERS DEFY COASTGUARDS

Evening Star, Issue 20720, 17 February 1931, Page 11

SMUGGLERS DEFY COASTGUARDS

BRANDY FIVE SHILLINGS A BOTTLE A serious increase in smuggling along considerable stretches of the Irish coast is causing grave alarm to the Irish 1-ree State Revenue Commissioners. There is evidence that wines and spirits, tobacco, laces, and other taxable commodities are being imported into the country duty free in large quantities. In several Irish villages it is .possible to purchase French brandy at 5s per bottle and good cigars at 10s per W. ,’. . Recently (states a Sunday Chronicle’ correspondent) I encountered a foreigner in a west coast hotel who, after a few cautious ‘‘feelers,” offered me brandy and cigars at the prices mentioned. All the “stuff,” he added, was being smuggled in by French owners of motor fishing smacks. Apparently these men have Irish agents who are willing to take the risk entailed. There are 300 bleak and inhospitable miles of coast along the southern and western seaboard admirably suited to the requirements of “free traders.’ There are innumerable deep and sheltered creeks, and, though the existing revenue forces are smart enough, it would require a force of coastguards ten times larger than tho one that at present exists to keep adequate watch. The Free Stale Government’s revenue craft number loss than a dozen petrol launches or cutters. One other profitable sideline of the smugglers I discovered the other day by accident. In another hotel within a few miles of the one where I met the avowed smuggler I noticed a mag. nificent radio set of French make. Tli© landlord, to whom I had been talking about smuggling, saw that' I was admiring (lie set. lie smiled at me and winked broadly. “ Yes,” he said, “that, too. came in without paying a penny import duty.”

Housewife: “ 1 see you have put all the best apples on top.” Gi'cengroccr: “Yes, ma’am: that saves yon the trouble of hunting through the pile lor them.”