EFFECTIVE MEASURES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17537, 14 May 1925, Page 13

EFFECTIVE MEASURES.

RUM ROW SHIPS DISPERSE. Bj Telegraph- Frees Association —Copyright Australian >nd N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK. May 12. The Federal Government’s claim that tlio dry fleet, consisting; of iit'tv patrol boats, had effectively blocked the illicit liquor traffic off the east coast, apparently has been substantiated. The blockade lasted a week, during which time the liquor vessels were unable to obtain supplies, and only ono small boat succeeded in running the gauntlet. Many of the liquor craft are dispersing. seeking other inlets, and live already have appeared off San Diego, j California, while others landed their ' cargoes at Halifax. A most- interesting feature of the campaign, however, is the report that the blockade has been so successful that eastern liquor traffickers have now turned their attention to the. Pacific Coast. Numerous liquor ships already have attempted, but unsuccessfully, to out-manoeuvre the San Francisco coastguards. who have been given orders to shoot t-o kill if their cutter is tired Precautions are also being taken to counter the flood of liquor from the Canadian border, which had decreased since the Atlantic trade grew extensively. State police and motor vehicle inspectors are now concentrated along the Canadian border awaiting developments. ! The Commerce Department officially estimated that 40.000.000 dollar.- worth nf liquor was smuggled into the United States during 1924. being an increase oi 10.000,000 dollars over the figures of 1923.