PROHIBITION AT SEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18224, 18 October 1922, Page 9

PROHIBITION AT SEA.

THE RIGHT OF SEARCH. I BRITAIN'S OPPOSITION. ■ ? NO EXTENSION OF LIMIT. By Telearat>h —Frees Association —Copyrieht. - (Received 3.40 p.m.) A. and N.Z. WASHINGTON, Oct. 16In a communication delivered to the State Department, Britain, it is understood, declines to agree to Mr. C. E. Hughes' suggestion for a reciprocal extension of the right of search and seizure at sea so as to give the United States prohibition authorities jurisdiction over ships outside the three mile limit. The British Note is in reply to a Note despatched by the United States on June 26, in which Mr. C. E. Hughes recited serious difficulties that had been encountered by the United States authorities in their effort to enforce the law against the illegal shipment of liquors from British possessions. The British Government declares that its refusal to negotiate the reciprocal treaty suggested by Mr. Hughes is based on principle. Britain opposes search in peace time of British vessels outside the three mile limit. Britain has always opposed any extension of the limit and cannot acquiesce in tho abandonment of a principle of such importance to meet a temporary emergency. The Note assures the United States that Britain is desirous of preventing illegal practiceu and breaches of the lav; of which the United States complains, and declares that every precaution will be taken to prevent illicit trade in liquor between British bases of operation and the United States. The Note adds that strict instructions have been issued to all officers in British possessions to exercise authority to prevent breaches of British or local law.