NEUTRALS' TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23470, 6 October 1939, Page 7

NEUTRALS' TRADE

CONTRABAND QUESTION RECOGNITION OF RIGHTS GREAT BRITAIN'S POLICY British "Wireless LONDON, Oct. 4' In a broadcast address to-day the Minister of Economic Warfare, Mr. Hibbert Cross, said: "Neutral countries are naturally anxious to see that their interests and needs are recognised. I need hardly say that we fully appreciate this. '.'As soon- as the war broke out we declared that we were anxious to take account of the legitimate trading requirements of neutral countries, and we informed neutral Governments that we would gladly consider any suggestion they might care to make. "Britain seeks to maintain her own exports at the highest possible level and from the very beginning we have done, and are doing, all in our power to ensure a continuance of friendly trading relations with neutral States, to our mutual benefit.

Nazis Break International Law "Already we have opened talks with several neutral Governments, and a number of missions have come over from neutral countries to carry on discussion with us. These are taking place

in the most' friendly atmosphere, and wo hope;.-in cfertain cases, to be able to come to arrangements which will still further simplify the procedure of contraband control. "In the meantime Germany has been flooding neutral countries with a mixed stream of assurances, protests and threats. Latterly she has begun to translate these threats into action and nearly every day brings news of fresh sinking by German submarines of neutral shipping under circumstances contrary to international law." Mr. Cross explained that the object of tho efforts which gave the name to his department was to strike at Ger-. many's armament production to such an extent as to cripple the power of her. al'my to carry on the war. Ability to do this was based on the Royal Navy's command of the seas, and the right to do it was derived from "those belligerent rights which international law entitles Britain, as a combatant, to exercise."

Germany's Stocks Being Drained

Tho Minister warned listeners that his department could not be expected to produce quick results. For one thing, Germany had accumulated considerable stocks of material before the war.

"But what we have done is to cut her off, from the clay when war was declared, from many of her sources of supply, and with every day that passes her stocks arc being drained, and she is finding it increasingly difficult to replace them," said Mr. Cross. In reply to a question in the House of Commons the Minister gave the names of eight British ships which had 011 hoard foodstuffs and wheat, which had been allowed to proceed to their destinations in neutral countries. "I would remind the House," he added, "that it is not the policy of the British Government to seize cargoes regarding which there is no evidence of an enemy destination. No question therefore arises of interfering with cargoes destined for the internal consumption of neutral countries." NAVY RECRUITING VOLUNTARY SYSTEM (.Received October 5. 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON. Oct. 4 The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Winston Churchill, speaking in the House of Commons, announced that recruiting for the Navy would remain on a voluntary basis during the war, the Admiralty proposing to rely on the method which had served so well in the past. Mr. Churchill also intimated that the policy of promoting to commissions an increasing number from the lower deck and younger warrant officers would receive wider scope. The Admiralty hoped to increase such appointments in- wartime five-fold.