COOK STRAIT DANGERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 309, 18 September 1918, Page 4

COOK STRAIT DANGERS

TROUBLESOME RESTRICTIONS ON .SHIPPING. Tlie Admiralty direction regarding tho navigation, of Cook Strait in daylight hours only has caused a great deal of inconvenience to coastal vessels, and has interfered considerably with the trade of some of tho coastal ports. A conference, representing harbour boards, chambers of commerce, and the Now Zealand Shipowners Federation (the owners of the small coasting steamers other than red funnel ships) was hold yesterday, and in the afternoon a delegation interviewed the Act-ing-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen) and tho Minister of Marine (Hon. T. M. Wilford). Neither the conference nor the deputation was open to the Press. Sir James Allen gave to a reporter >somo account of what had occurwl at tho deputation. He said that there seemed to be an impression that tho Government had prohibited the navigation of Cook Strait by coastal vessels except in daylight. This was not so. These ships had been warned that mines might be floating in,those waters, and advised to work the strait in daytime. With regard to oceangoing steamers these had been absolutely ordered to work the Strait in daylight, because it was considered thiit the risk of loss of such ships was too serious to be taken. Tlie deputation bad asked the Government ■to adopt further means for sweeping of mines, but it was explained that it v-ns not practicable to do very much more, than was being done because of tho varying depths at which the mineß were found. Tlie owners of tho coastal boat s asked also 'for some Government assistance in tho matter of insurance, for which they were asked to pay very high rates. This question he had promised to discuss with other members of the Government.