STRANGE SHIPMENT OF HONEY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 46, 19 September 1918, Page 3

STRANGE SHIPMENT OF HONEY.

STEAMER STOPPED BY WIRELESS

CARGO DISCHARGED AND HELD.

A remarkable case, involving the shipment from Sydney (,o London of .iOO tons of honey, without the Com{monwealth Government's consent, has just been disclosed (reports the Sydney Daily Telegraph of September 6.) I Honey, it appears—though it is a very scarce commodity in the United 'Kingdom—is not on the list of importations the British Government aljlow.s in large quantities from Australia.j and for .that reason the Commonwealth Government,- though permitting small shipments'at intervals, shipments which in fairness to Australian producers it- endeavors to divide among all of them, has practic-

ally imposed an embargo on its exportation to Great Britain because of the value of shipping space and the need for using it for other cargoes.

What honey it has permitted to be shipped has had to go as deck cargo. As the margin between Australian honey prices and those ruling in London represents about £IOO per ton, there is naturally extreme anxiety among Australian producers and firms dealing, in the article.to ship as much of it as possible. The Commonwealth Government has, however, been adamant in its refusal to allow large shipments.

A few weeks back, according to the extraoadinary) ■ story : circulating in Sydney, information was brought to the authorities in charge of the Commonwealth steamers that several waggon-loads of.honey had been'seen in transit in the city, and it was asked if a large shipment was being permitted.

The shipping authorities said no shipment had /been authorised, but being suspieisms because of the honey being' moved they had every vessel loading in Sydney searched before leaving port to make sure no consignment had been put aboard without their knowledge. But they overlooked searching one steamer, which had loaded at another part, and had put into Sydney for. refitting.- On this vessel the honoy was carried out of the port. After the vessel had left port information was received that the honey was on board. The wireless was got to work and the steamer picked up and ordered into port, where a painstaking search was made.

It was not until the whole of the cargo in one of her holds was discharged that the honey Avas found. The consignment was promptly conveyed ashore and taken possession of by the Customs authorities. The matter has been reported *o the Federal Attorney-General.