Work of British Contraband Control

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 280, 27 November 1939, Page 7

Work of British Contraband Control

MINIMUM OF INCONVENIENCE (British Official Wireless.) Received Sunday, 9.40 p.m. RUGBY, Nov. 25. The operatio of British contraband control shows that if the weather is favourable the examination of incoming ships is complotcd within two days — though it may on occasions be much shorter. When neutral vessels are stopped and boarded at sea the masters arc requested to proceed to the contraband control base where an examination or the ships, and cargo can be expeditiously carried out. The armed guard which is then placed on board in no way interferes with the control of ships by the masters except to see that no wireless signals are passed and that the ships proceed to the port to which they are ordered. Arrived at the contraband base the boarding officer goes aboard, explains to the captain what he has come for, examines the ship’s papers and then with a boarding party commences an examination. The mails are examined for contraband and to save time are taken ashore and sent on either in tho same ship or by another route whichever is the quickest. The passengers are allowed to proceed to their destinations, the ship’s papers and particulars are then taken ashore to the office at the base, and full details sent to the Ministry of Economic Warfare where a report is prepared for the Contraband Committee. It is then the duty of the Contraband Committee to decide whether there is a prima facie case for seizure. If it is decided there is no case tho cargo is allowed to go on. Where doubt exists guarantees as to the destination may have been asked for and on their satisfactory production the ship is allowed to proceed. If the committee decide i there is a prima facie case for seizure

the cargo is placed in a Prize Court where the persons claiming the cargo are allowed t o appeal. Condemnation can only take place as a result of the Court’s judicial decision. A Washington message eaj-s the State Department reveals that the British and French stopped and searched 14 additional United States merchantmen, making the total since tho outbreak of war 62. The British twice removed United States mail and seized several cargoes. Seven ships presumably have not been released.