COOK STRAIT

Grey River Argus, 18 September 1918, Page 3

COOK STRAIT

TIIE NAVIGATION RESTRICTIONS. TO AVOID MINES. (Per Press Association.) WELLNGTON, September. 17. A conference representing Harbour Boards, Chambers of Commerce, and New Zealand Shipowners' Federation was held to-day to consider the restrictions on navigation in Cook Strait and afterwards the delegation interviewed the Acting Prime Minister and Minister x>f Marine. Neither discussion was open to the Press. / Later Sir J. Allen told a reporter that there seemed to be an impression that the Government had prohibited navigation in Cook Strait by coastal vessels, except in daylight. This was .not so. These ships had been warned that mines might be floating in those waters, and were advised to work the Strait in the daytime. With regard to ocean-going steamers these had been . absolutely ordered to work the Strait in daylight, because Ht w/as* considered that the risk of the v loss of such .ship/ was too serious to be taken. The deputation had asked the Government to adopt further means for sweeping the mines, but it waa explained that it was not practicable to do very much more tha n was being done, because of tlie varying depths at which the mines wvere tound. The owners of coastal boats had asneu also for some Government assistance in the matier of < insurance, for which they, were asked to pay very high rates. This question he had promised to discuss with other members of the Government.