N.Z. SEIZES FINNISH VESSEL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 187, 11 August 1941, Page 6

N.Z. SEIZES FINNISH VESSEL

SUPREME COURT ACTION USED FOR FIRST TIME IN DOMINION. (Press Assn.) Wellington. Aug. 9. The acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. W. Nash, referring to a public notice advertised in Wellington newspapers sotting out a Supreme Court writ served against the ship Pamir, stated that this ship was seized in prize by the Customs authorities in Wellington acting in concert with the Government of the United Kingdom and other Goverments of the British Commonwealth. It is understood that similar steps are being taken elsewhere in respect of Finnish vessels. According to prize law, the ship and her cargo passed into the custody of the Supreme Court and applications to the Court relative to the disposal of the property in question will be made in due course. It is understood that an application relating to the cargo is now pending. The cargo consists of guano loaded in the Sechelles Islands. The vessel, although owned in Finland, was under charter to a British company.

The prize jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is one of considerable interest and antiquity, but rarely has it been exercised in Australia or New Zealand. One case affecting an Italian steamer arose in the Supreme Court of Western Australia. The present is the first occasion on whicli the Supreme Court of New Zealand has been called upon to exercise its jurisdiction in prize.