SEIZURE OF ITALIAN VESSEL

Southland Times, Issue 24154, 17 June 1940, Page 9

SEIZURE OF ITALIAN VESSEL

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT RUSE SYDNEY, June 12. Tire Australian Government acted shrewdly to ensure the seizure of an Italian liner which arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia, last Wednesday. The Government ordered the unloading of all her cargo at that port, instead of only the eight tons consigned there, and so caused what has been officially called an “unavoidable delay,” which resulted in her still being in port on the day of Italy’s entry into the war. The liner was the 9780-ton oilburner Remo, which has been in the Australian trade since she was built 13 years ago. When she arrived at Fremantle, the Commonwealth Government informed the owners that no consideration would be given to the issue of a Customs clearance until all the cargo for Australian consignees had been unloaded. The cargo included valuable machinery for a new factory at Newcastle (New South Wales) and post office technical equipment. The Minister of Customs, Senator Mcbeay, continuing the official story of the Remo’s seizure, said: “The conditions stipulated by the Commonwealth Government led to unavoidable delay in the discharge of the cargo, with the result that the vessel was unable to complete discharge and obtain the necessary Customs clearance to enable her to leave Australian waters. The Customs officials and the Navy cooperated in every way possible to ensure that, if Italy did declare war, this vessel would be seized as a prize. Italy’s declaration of war has, in effect, presented a valuable ship to his Majesty. The Remo will now be used to transport Australian primary produce to world markets.”

At dawn yesterday the White Ensign was hoisted on the Remo after a naval guard had gone aboard the ship. Naval ratings took over the maintenance of the vessel, and the crew and Italian passengers still aboard were interned. When the Remo arrived at Fremantle, she had 229 passengers, most of whom were Italians. The Romolo is a sister ship of the Remo. THREE NEW BRITISH PEERS LONDON, June 13. It is officially announced that Colonel Harry Louis Nathan (Central Wandsworth), Lieutenant-Colonel Charles lain Kerr (Montrose Burghs), members of the House of Commons, and Sir Charles Barrie, former member for Southampton, become barons.