EFFECT OF BRITISH REPRISALS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 January 1940, Page 5

EFFECT OF BRITISH REPRISALS

AGAINST GERMAN EXPORTS NEUTRALS CANCEL ORDERS FOR GOODS ECONOMIC WAR [British Official Wireless] (Received 12th January, 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, llth January. Information reaching official circles here from all over the world indicates that the effect of British reprisals against German exports is already being felt after the scheme has been in operation only one month. Many orders for German goods from overseas neutrals have been cancelled, and it is clear that the cause for this difficulty of shipment of German goods, when shipping and insurance agencies demand certificates of origin, verified by British or French control. Authorities in London have taken precautions to meet attempts to export goods from Germany under cover of neutral agencies. It is also realised that attempts may be made to establish German-owned and operated factories in neutral countries, to manufacture goods which would, in fact, be of German origin, but which would bear neutral trade marks. In official quarters In London it is confirmed that such goods would not be recognised as genuine neutral goods, and would be liable to the same treatment as other German exports. CONTRABAND CONTROL During the week ended oth January the British contraband control intercepted and detained 6200 tons of contraband goods, of which there was evidence that they were destined for Germany. The total included 2400 tons of petroleum and allied products, 1000 tons of pig lead, 1400 tons of miscellaneous foodstuffs, 800 tons of non-metallic products, 150 tons of oils and fats, 100 tons of various ores, metals and other commodities. British contraband control has in the first 18 weeks of war detained a total of 544,000 tons.

On 9th January 48 neutral ships were in the three United Kingdom contraband control bases, of which 24 had been in five days or less.

During the week ended 6th January the contraband committee considered the cargoes of 105 ships, which arrived since 30th December and 36 outstanding cargoes from the previous week. In 84 cases the entire cargoes were released. The system under which manifests of cargoes are received and considered before a ship’s arrival resulted during the week in 43 cases being so dealt with, and in 31 cases the ships concerned were released subject merely to formal Checking. The Ministry of Economic Warfare states that since the navicert system was introduced over 5000 navicerts have already been approved. The largest number of applications come from the United States, while Argentina takes second place, followed by Brazil and Uruguay. A Press Association message states that cargoes examined last week were: Norwegian 25, Netherlands 28, Italian 26, Swedish 12, Belgian 7, Danish 8, British 5, Greek 7, American 5. Eighty-four complete cargoes were released. Only one Italian and one American ship were detained longer than five days. ALLIES’ CONTRACTS REACTION ON STOCK EXCHANGE The report that Great Britain wants to buy American merchant ships, and that Britain and France are negotiating for further large supplies of aeroplanes has caused buying of aircraft and shipping shares on the New York Stock Exchange. These reports have bee > going round for some time, and have been strengthened by the arrival in Ne> * York of two members of the Canadian Shipping Board for the purpose of discussions With the American Maritime Commission.—By radio. AMERICAN MINES MAY BE BOUGHT BY BRITAIN [U.PA.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] NEW YORK, llth January. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says the British Government is discussing the purchase of United States mines for a projected North Sea barrage. A list of American manufacturers able to supply mines was provided officially to the British purchasing mission. Officials state that the United States Navy has plenty of mines for its own use. The British would encounter no difficulties in regard to priority of supply. Rapid large scale production ty American plants was available.