SHIPPING CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22675, 12 March 1937, Page 11

SHIPPING CONTROL

BRITISH PROPOSALS TEXT OF NEW &ILL • } OBSERVERS' POWERS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, March 10 The G6vernment's proposals for controlling shipping to Spain are contained in the Merchant Shipping (Spanish Frontiers Observation) Bill, the text of which was issued to-day.

Ships going to Spain must embark an observation officer at a prescribed place. An officer may require the production of documents relating to tl\e cargo or cause any package to be opened.

The officer may require the production of any passenger's passport and be present at the unloading of goods or disembarkation of persons at any port in Spanish territory, or adjacent waters.

The master or any person on board obstructing the officer or giving false information, will be liable to a fine not exceeding £IOO. The Board of Trade is empowered to exempt ships regularly engaged in the Spanish trade from certain provisions, conditional on their carrying observation officers and paying the additional expenses incurred. The bill confers powers on naval officers to stop and examine the papers of ships in Spanish territorial waters. Masters failing to comply are liable to a fine of £IOO.

STEP WELCOMED MEASURE BEFORE LORDS SECOND READING CARRIED British Wireless RUGBY, March 10 The Earl of Plymouth was warmly cheered in the House of Lords to-day on rising to mpve the second reading of the bill imposing a legal obligation on British shipping bound for Spanish ports. It was obvious, Lord Plymouth said, that any delay in bringing the into force would be very danger- ( us, and some untoward incident might tndo the work so painfully accomplished .

If the international staff of observers witnessed any apparent infringement of the agreement by British ships they would inform the Board of Trade, which would consider what proceedings should be taken.

In reply to the debate, Lord Plymouth, referring to the laying of mines, said the British Government's view was that this was not justified except where proper and adequate notice had been given. Sir Henry Chilton, British Ambassador at Hendaye, France, had been instructed to protest to General Franco against failure to notify the laying of mines at places remote from Spanish ports.

The motion for the second reading of the bill was carried.

NAVAL PATROL PLAN BRITISH FLEET'S SPHERE CASES OF INTERCEPTION British "Wireless RUGBY, March 10 The subject of Spain and non-inter-vention was before the House of Commons at. question time to-day. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, stated that British ships would be responsible under the control scheme for the supervision of the northern coast of Spain from the French frontier to Cape Busto, and for the southern coast from the Portuguese frontier to Cape de Gata. In spite of this very considerable additional commitment for British warships in Spanish waters, the naval authorities would take'steps to keep iu touch with the British diplomatic and consular representatives at Valencia and Palma. Mr. Eden stated that the British Ambassador at Hendaye, Sir Henry Chilton, had been instructed to protest to the insurgent authorities at Salamanca against interference with British property on the high seas. In the case of two Spanish vessels carrying Britishowned cargoes of iron ore, which had been intercepted by insurgent warships, the Ambassador was to ask for the release of these cargoes, and to state that the British Government reserved tho right, if necessary, to claim damages.