Australia Moves Against Foreign Pearl Poaehers

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 255, 27 October 1937, Page 3

Australia Moves Against Foreign Pearl Poaehers

CANBERRA. Years of punching by Japanese pearling luggers within Australian territorial waters, reached a climax recently when the Federal Government’s patrol launch Larakia chased and fired un a fleet of 17. Hundreds of Japanese luggers have been operating oil' the far northern' coastline for a long time, to the annoyance of Australian pearlers, and the embarrassment of the Federal Government, which has not been keen to create an international “incident.” These poachers have been taking pearl and trochus shell worth thousands of pounds annually from territorial walers. The diliicully of policing the vast northern coastline has enabled the luggers to operate boldly and under the very prows of Australian boats. Repeated protests to Canberra at last induced the Government to build the launch Larrakia, and for several months it has been taking stock of the position. It was found that poaching was being carried on in an organised manner. Large Heels uf luggers operated from a “mother” ship which curried supplies, and loaded shell taken from the sea by the fleet. The Customs Act, which the Government patrol is aiming to enforce, prohibits the entry of foreign vessels into territorial waters at places other than a port, except to shelter from bail weather or to obtain water. If a vessel ente.s Australian waters tu obtain water, she is expected to leave v.ilhin 12 hours. It is certain that there will be an exl .ange of correspondence between the v :panese and Australian Governments about the whole question of poaching. The Commonweal!!! Government iias at last realised that it can no longer dully with hull-measures, and several members of the Cabinet are pressing fdr a thoroughly effective patrol, even if it does cost a great deal. Cove During an intense luxe scene- at the movies when the hero was doing his stull*, Mrs Hobson nudged her husband and said:— "Why is it that you never make love to me like that.’ ’ ’ "Say,” he replied, “do you know the salary that fellow gets for doing that.’” <S> <B> <§> <3> Jones had taken his car tu a garage for minor repairs. 4 ‘You wouldn’t think it was a secondhand car, would you?” he remarked to the mechanic. “Great Scott, no!” said the mechanic. “I thought you made it yourself.”