BOMBS AMONG ORANGES

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22246, 15 January 1944, Page 6

BOMBS AMONG ORANGES

SHIPMENTS FROM SPAIN (Received Jan. 15, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 14 An attempt to sabotage Britain’s orange supply from Spain—one of the few consignments which the Government thus far has secured for Britain—was made ten days ago when an explosion occurred in a ship’s hold, destroying 200 to 300 cases each containing CO pounds of oranges. There were no casualties but the explosion caused other damage. Evej; case of oranges had to be careiully examined when this ship docked in Britain, and when a second ship arrived an examination revealed a time-bomb secreted in the cargo. A third ship has no yet docked. It is concluded, a Ministry of Food statement says, that when it is docked it also will undergo careful search. Another consignment of oranges from Palestine is believed to be intact. The Foreign Office is making representations to Spain regarding the bombs, which may have been introduced into the cargoes by Gorman agents at Valencia. Another theory is that the bombs were smuggled into the cases at the orange groves. Before the dockers unloaded the second cargo of Spanish oranges in a west Scotland port tney received a special rate of pay and explosives experts scrutinised the cargo.