FINNISH SHIP SEIZED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20630, 11 August 1941, Page 4

FINNISH SHIP SEIZED

PAMIR TAKEN AS PRIZE FIRST IN DOMINION (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. W. Nash, referring to a public notice advertised in the Wellington newspapers setting out a Supreme Court writ served against the ship Pamir, stated that this ship was seized as a prize by the customs authorities at Wellington, acting in concert with the Government of the United Kingdom and other Governments of the British commonwealth. It is understood that similar steps are being taken elsewhere in respect of Finnish vessels. According to the prize law, the ship and her cargo passed into the custody of the Supreme Court, and applications to the court relative to the disposal of the property in question will be made in due course. It is understood that an application relating to the cargo is now pending. The cargo consists of guano loaded in the Seychelles Islands. The vessel, although owned in Finland, was under charter to a British company. The prize jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is one of considerable interest and antiquity, but rarely has been exercised in Australia or. New Zealand. One case affecting an Italian steamer aros.e in,the Supreme Court o£ Western Australia. The present is the first occasion on which the Supreme Court of New Zealand has been called upon to exercise its jurisdiction in prize.