Non-Intervention

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 47, 11 March 1937, Page 5

Non-Intervention

— Preas Assn.

BRITISH BILL A3I Ships for Spain to Be Examihed FULL POWERS GIVEN

(By Teleeraph

—Copyright.)

(Eeceived 11, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 10. The Government 's propcsals for controlling shipping to Spain are * contained in . the Merchant Shipping (Spanish Frpntjers Ohservar tion) Bill, the text of which was issued to-day. Ships "going to Spain must embark an observation officer at a prescribed place, The officer may require the production of documents relating to the cargo or cause any package to be opened, He may require the production of any passeqger's passport and will be present at the unloading of goods or the disembarkation of persons at any port in Spanish territory or adjacent waters, The master or any person aboard obstructing the officer or giving false information is liable to a fine not exceeding £100. The Board of Trade is empowered to exempt ships regularly engaged in the Spanish trade from certain provisions provided they carry observing officers and pay the additional expenses incurred. The Bill confers powers on naval offi.cers to stop and examine the papers of ships in Spanish territorial waters, Masters failing to eomply are liable to a fine of £100. A British Official Wireless message says that Lord PlymoutH, in moving in the House of Lords, the second reading of the Bill imposing legal obligation on British shipping hound for Spanish ports, said it was obvious that any delay in bringing the sy6tem into force would be very datigerous and some untoward incident might undo the work so painfully accomplished. The second reading was earried. In reply to the debate, Lord Plymouth, referring to the laying of mines, said that the British Goverament's view was that such laying was not justified except where proper and adequato notice was given. Sir Henry Chilton had been instructed to protest to General Franco against failure to notify the laying of mines at places remote from Spanish ports. The subjeet of Spain and non-inter-vention was also befor© the House of Commons. At question time the Rt. Hon. Anthony Eden stated that British ships would be responsible for the supervision of the northern coast of Spain from the Freneh frontier to -Cape de Gate, and the British naval authorities would t«ke steps to keep in touch with His Majesty's diplomatic and consular representatives at Valencia, Barcelona and Palma. Mr Fden stated that the British Ambassador at Hendaye had. been instructed to protest to the insurgent authorities in Salamanca against interference with British property on the high seas in the case of two Spanish vessels carrying Britishowned cargoes or iron ore which were intercepted by insurgent warships. The ambassador was to ask for the release of the cargoes and state that His Majesty's Government reserved the right, if neeessary, to claim damages.