GENERAL NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 17658, 16 February 1916, Page 5

GENERAL NEWS

THE BLOCKADE. FIRMER MEASURES NEEDED. BIG- MEETING IN LONDON. GOVERNMENT STRONGLY CRITICISED. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON, February 14. A large meeting was held in Cannon street hotel to protest against the ineffective blockade of Germany. The greatest enthusiasm was shown when speakers advocated that the navy should, prevent any article reaching Germany.' The condemnation of the Government’s policy was greeted with cries of “Throw them out" and “Give us new leaders.” Groans were given for Mr Asquith and Sir E. Grey. The meeting carried, with cheers, a motion viewing with alarm the enormous quantities of commodities reaching Germany through the North Sea and urging the Government to make full use of Britain’s sea power in enforcing an absolutely effective blockade. Lord Devonport, who presided, said the nation was determined that nothing should prevent our progress. Was the British fleet in supreme command of the seas ? Were we utilising to the full that power “We ought," he declared,

“to be depriving Germany of the essentials of trade livelihood without which no nation could sustain resistance.” Mr Asquith had declared that all commodities had been prevented from entering Germany. An Order-in-Council gave all the power necessary, but the power was not used. Neutrals were having the time of their lives at our expense. Sir E. Grey over-estimated the importance of not interfering with the rights of neutrals. During seventeen months of war 1,500,000 tons of iron ore in three hundred ships were allowed to enter Rotterdam. The ore mainly came from Sweden and Norway and was taken by barges on the Rhine, eventually to Essen, where it was used in making bombs. — (Cries of “Shame.”) Lord Devonport quoted records showing that 557 ships, with over two million tons of iron ore. had gone to German ports within the last eight months and asked : "Will the Government draw the attention of neutrals to this breach of neutrality ? We are fighting their war as well as our own. Where would Holland and Denmark be if left to the tender mercies of German militarism ? If the navy were allowed to act the mailed fist would soon be smashed. Mr Gibson Bowles attacked the policy of Mr Asquith, Sir E. Grey, and Lord Haldane, who knew, ten years ago the possibilities of war and took no action. He believed three-quarters of the neutral ships brought in by the navy were set free. Mr Shirley Benn said neutrals would respect us more if we made the blockade thoroughly effective. GERMAN SUPPLIES FROM HOLLAND. OVERSEAS TRUST A FAILURE. LONDON, February 14. The Daily Mail's special commissioner describes Holland as a vast storehouse whence goods are being daily transferred to German factories, cities, and troops. Official figures show that the Netherlands Overseas Trust has failed to prevent re-exports to Germany. Instances are given where raw materials, imported under the Trust’s conditions, have been manipulated in order to conceal their identity.

The Netherlands Oversea Trust acts as an intermediary between the shipowners and hanks of Holland and the belligerent Governments in regard to all contraband and conditional contraband goods. The trust imports these on behalf of any or all Dutch firms, and at the same time gives a guarantee to the Governments concerned that such goods r v re for Dutch consumption only. The working capital of Hie trust was put up iu equal proportions by all the big shipping companies, banks, etc. The understanding is ttiat any balance left after paying 1 per cent, interest is finally banded to the National Relief Fund. The Governments of the Allies have undertaken that contraband and conditional contraband goods consigned to the trust shall not he hold up. Every shipowner who trades under the auspices of the

N.O.T. (Netherlands Oversea Trust), says a writer in the Manchester Guardian), stakes somewhere about £IO,OOO, as well as the good faith that stands so high in Holland, for the fact that she is carrying no other contraband in tlie ships in question than that addres-' sed to the N.O.T. Every such N.O.T. vessel is provided with a special ensign. When, say, a British naval officer boards her he is shown the N.O.T. signed documents covering the entire cargo, and this tlie Allied Governments have undertaken shall be sufficient. The officer upon that gives a written acknowledgment of his visit, upon which the ensign is flown in reversed fashion to signify such .fact. Thus, without any further search, and allowed to pass by any other warships met with, the vessel proceeds direct to the Downs (through which all shipping is bound to pass owing to the minefield), where the British authorities again formally board the ship to confirm the fact that the examination of the papers has taken place, and then, without holding up, the N.O.T. vessel comes straight, on to a Dutch port. If any of such goods are later re-ex-ported to other neutral countries, it is done by the N.O.T. under like guarantees. Should it be clear to the executive that bigger stores of certain articles are being imported than the country requires, then the import is at once stopped. TEA.DE AFTER THE WAE. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ABBANGE MEETING. INDIVIDUAL SUGGESTIONS. DOMINIONS NOT POEQOTTBN, LONDON, February 14. Received February 15, 10.5 p.m. The Manchester Commercial Conference rejected a "motion in favo’ur of adherence to free trade. The Associated Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom have arranged a meeting on tlie 29th to consider post-war problems. The Norwich 'Chamber proposes a department of commerce and industry apart from the Board of Trade, and also urges a commercial alliance among the Entente Powers against enemy countries. The Glasgow Chamber suggests that the Government ascertain tlie Dominnidns’ views on after-war trade problems, especially in regard to reciprocal trading, regulation of trade with enemy countries, and control of businesses in the Empire managed and owned by enemy subjects. A Birmingham resolution advocates an enquiry as to the desirability of subsidising or otherwise protecting industries begun since tlie war for manufacturing articles formerly made in enemy countries. The Sheffield Chamber urges Government encouragement towards the development of industries necessary for national safety, with particular attention to scientific research in commercial education. The Edinburgh Chamber favours a discriminating Customs tariff to prevent dumping. The Walsall Chamber advocates prohibition of imports from enemy countries for a period of five years. TRADING WITH THE ENEMY. FINE AND IMPRISONMENT. “TOWNES BEOS.” GLOVE FIRM. LONDON, February 14. Received February 15, 2.50 p.m. In the .Fownes Bros.’ case, defendants pleaded guilty. W. G. Rigden was fined £SOO, W. Fownes Rigden was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, and Stanley Fownes Rigden was sentenced to four months’ imjmsonemnt. In this case, William Gurden Rigden, William Fownes . Rigden, and Stanley Fownes Rigden, partners in tlie glove firm of Fownes Bros., were charged with trading with the enemy. Counsel stated that correspondence had been found showing that the defendants, who were a branch of a New York-owned company in Germany, imported through New York from Germany goods to the value of £6OOO, promising to pay for them after the war. In addition interest was to be paid, and a promise of big orders was given. Defendants were remanded, bail being allowed in sureties of £2OOO each. NICARAGUAN TREATY. GERMANY OUTBIDS AMERICA, _____ WASHINGTON, February 14. Received February 15, 8 p.m. During a further debate in the Senate on the Nicaraguan Treaty, it was announced that Germany had offered a 'larger sum than the United States to secure an option over the Nicaraguan canal zone. The United States, however, had induced Nicaragua to wait. ARMED MERCHANTMEN. AMERICA AWAITS DEVELOPMENTS. WASHINGTON, February 14. Received February 15, S p.m. The United States is likely to withdraw the proposal made to tlie Allies that armed merchantmen should not carry guns in future on pain of being treated as warships. The United States will await developments, or in other words, do nothing. GERMAN POLICY SUSPENDED FENDING AMERICAN DISCUSSION WITH BELLIGERENTS LONDON, February 15. Received February 16, 1.20 a,m. The Daily Mail’s New York correspondent states that Count Bernstorff (German Ambassador), in response to President Wilson's suggestion, has promised a postponement of tlie policy in regard to armed merchantmen, pending an exchange of views between America and the belligerents. NEW ZEALAND CASUALTIES. 8225 TO 14th FEBRUARY. WELLINGTON, February 15. The total number of casualties in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces reported up tc and including February 14tfi was 8225. The total was made up as follows; — Officers. Men. Killed 70 ' 1142 Died of wounds .... 24 542 Died of disease .... 9 282 Died, cause unknown 7 486 Drowned 10 24 Missing 12 116 Prisoners of war .. —• 23 Wounded 21 7 5260 Totals 349 7876