THE DANGER OF MINES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14712, 18 September 1918, Page 7

THE DANGER OF MINES.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON; last night. A conference representing the- iiarbor Board | Chambers of Conurifeirce, -and the New ZeaUuid Ship-owners' Federation «"as heldi to-day to consider the restriction ft of navigation m Ckx^k Strait, and afterwarda a delegation interviewed the Acting-Prime Minister and the Minister &o,v Marine. Neithei: interviovr was open to the press. Later Sir Jaa. Allen told' a reporter that there seemed to b'a an impression that the Government- had prohibited navigation m Cook Strait by coastal , vessels except m daylight. This was not so. These shim had been warned that mimes might ue floating on those ■waters, andi wexe advised to work the Strait m day time. With regard', to ccean-going steamers, these ha-ve been 'absolutely ordered to work the. Strait m daylight, because it was considered th« | risk of loss o^ such shigs was too serious to be taken. • T<he deputation had j asked the Governments to adopt fua'tJiar ral^ans for sweeping" of mines, but it_ was , explained that it was not practicably . to Ido very much more than was being done, because of the varying depth at which the mhies wore 'found. The owners of coaafcal boats asked also for somis Government assistance m the .maY ter of insui*ance, for which they we.ro asked to pay *rery . high rates. This question he promised to discuss with other members of the Govern/nient.