CHARTS OF N.Z.

Grey River Argus, 16 January 1941, Page 8

CHARTS OF N.Z.

TOO EASY TO OBTAIN. WELLINGTON, January 14. Surprise at the case with which charls of New Zealand waters, containing valuable and up-to-date informalion could be obtained by members of the public in war itme, was expressed by a Wellington yachtsman. It appeared, he said, that the sole check on the use to which such charts might be put was that the purchaser signed a declaration that he would not permit them to pass into enemy hands.

In peace time, of course, there was no restriction on the sale of charts, this yachtsman said; but it was rather surprising that in time of war any person might walk into the Government shipping office in Wellington and purchase them. All that was asked of him was that he should sign a form setting out his name, address, and nationality, and the name of the vessel for which the chart was intended, and declaring that he would not permit it to be used by the enemy.

There was apparently no check on the truth of the answers given; and an enemy agent might easily fill in a fictitious name and address, with the name of a real or imaginary yacht or other small craft. In any case, it would be easy for agents of neutral vessels to obtain charts to be taken out. of the country and handed over for enemy use.

The Admiralty charts of the coast supplied to shipmasters and others contained details of off-shore bearings, outlying dangers, depths, tidal streams, approaches to ports, coastal lights—all the data essential to a master mariner approaching the coast on his lawful occasion, or to an enemy stealing in to lay minefields in coastal waters. Indeed, in such a seaway as Cook Strait, effective mine-laying would be difficult or impossible without a chart, it was stated.

While charts could easily have been obtained in peace time, and it might be considered that a prospective raider would be well supplied by the German Government before she set out, it had to be remembered that, places often assumed an importance in war time that might never have been foreseen. It was questionable. the yachtsman considered, whether even in peace time vital information of this character should be issued without restriction.