TRADING WITH THE ENEMY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2256, 16 September 1914, Page 6

TRADING WITH THE ENEMY

CATEGORICAL PROHIBITION. ' A Proclamation bj; His Majesty the King was published in a Gazette Extraordinary last night relating to trading, with the enemy. Following aro two definite- clauses m the proclamation :-r----"'fiie' expression 'enemy country' in this proclamation.means the territories. | of the German Empire and tho Dual Monarchy ,of ' Austria-Hungary, together with all the colonies and dependencies thereof. ''The expression 'enemy' in this proclamation means any person or body of persons of whatever nationality resident or carrying on business iu the enemy country, but does not include persons of enemy nationality who are neither resident nor carrying on business in the enemy country. In the case of incorporated bodies, .enemy character, attaches only to those incorporated in an enemy country." , From the issue of this proclamation the following prohibitions are imposed upon "all persons resident, carrying on business, or being in Our Dominions": -•• (1) Not to pay jany sum 'of money to lir for 'the benefit of an enemy. (2) Not, to compromise on give security for the payment of any. debt or other sum of, money with or for tho benefit of nn enemy. ' (3) Not to act on behalf of an enemy in drawing, accepting, paying, present-' ing for acceptance or payment, negotiating, orothcrwise dealing with any negotiable instrument. . . (4) Not to' acceptj pay, or otherwiso deal with any- negotiable instrument which is' held by or on behalf of ati enemy; provided that this prohibition shall not be deemed to be infringed by any' person who has no reasonable ground, for believing that the instrument" is held by or on 'behalf of an enemy. (5) Not to enter, into any new transaction, or complete any transaction'already entered into with an enemy in any stocks, shares, or other securities. (6) Not to make or outer into any now marine, life, firo, or other policy or contract of insurance with or for the benelit of an enemy; nor'to accept or give effect to any insurance of any risk wising under any policy or contract of Insurance (including reinsurance) made or entered into with or for the benefit of an enemy before the outbreak of war. (7) Not directly or indirectly to supply to or for the use or benefit of, or obtain from, an enemy country or an enemy, any goods, wares, or merchanfiise; nor directly or indirectly to supply to or for tlie use or Dcnefvt'oi, or obtain from, an enemy .country or an enemy any goods, wares, or merchandise; nor directly or indirectly to supply to or for tho use or benefit of,/or obtain from, any person, any goods, wares, or merchandise for or by way' of transmission to or from an enemy country or an enemy; nor directly or indirectly the trade in or carry any goods, wares, or merchandise destined for or coming from an enemy country or an. enemy. (5) Not to permit any British ship to leave for, enter, or communicate with 'any port or placo in- an enemy country. (9) Not to enter into any commercial, financial, or other contract or obligation with or for the benefit of an enemy. ■ (10) Not 'to enter into any transactions with an enemy if and when they are prohibited 'by an Order-iu-Council made and published on the recommendation of a Secretary of State, even though they would otherwise be permitted by law or by this or any other proclamation. And we do hereby'further warn all persons that whoever in • contravention of tho law shall commit,- aid, or abet any of tho aforesaid acts is guilty of a crime, and will # be liable to punishment and penalties accordingly. (6) 'Provided. that where an enemy lias a branch locally situated in British, allied, or neutral territory, not being neutral territory in Europe, transactions by or with such branch shall not bo treated as transactions by or with an i enemy. ',■'." ! \.(7) Nothing in this proclamation shall be'deemed to prohibit payments by or on .account of enemies, to persons resident, carrying on business, or being in our Dominions, if such payments arise out of transactions entered into before the outbreak of war or otherwiso permitted. (8) Nothing in this proclamation shall bo taken to prohibit anything which shall be expressly permited by our license, of by the lieenso given on our behalf by a Secretary of State, or the Board of Trade, whether such licenses be especially granted to individuals or bo announced as applying to classes of persons. . Since the outbreak of tho war three German vossels have been seized at Capo Town. Thcso steamers havo on' board for Australasia cargoes? from Germany and Now York, valued at about £60,000. At Melbourne, the Minister for External Affairs (Mr. Glynn) received a deputation from the 'Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, representing about 200 consignees, and the Minister was asked whether arrangements could be made for the cargoes to bo brought to Australia. It was suggested that means might be found for allowing the ships to he brought on' to Australia by prize crews. In reply, tho Minister stated that the matter was now within the jurisdiction of the Prize Court of South Africa, and it was for those interested to submit their claims to the Court. Tho. Government # had already communicated by cable with the South African Government to see whether nometliing could not he'dono in these matters.. *~.