SPIES OF THE WHISKY PIRATES.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1925, Page 4

SPIES OF THE WHISKY PIRATES.

(Uv P. R. N. Hill in “Daily Mail.”)

There may not appear to he much connection between the West End ot London and a whisky pirates’—“Hijackers ” as they are called-—raid on a vessel ol!' the Atlantic seaboa'rd of the United States, hut actually there

It is in London that the plot is formulated and the luloriuation acquired which ends in the swilt descent of armed men on liquor-laden ships, the pirating of the cargo, and possibly the death of one or two of the crew who stand faithful to their owners. It is the tale of war espionage all over again with this diflerenoc, that instead or endeavouring to learn the closely guarded secrets of a nation in arms the Hi-Jackers’ spies have hut to ferret •out details of ail open cotmmereial transaction.

These spies live in style, frequent the most exclusive hotels, and, with plenty of money, have no difficulty in making friends in useful places. Their job is to keep watch on the great distilleries and learn what spirit is sold and how it is dealt with, and if it is consigned overseas, the name of the boat in which it is shipped and its destination. All these particulars are cabled to the lli-Jaekers in America, and they make their plans accordingly. Apart from these Hi-Jack spies there are many people in this country engaged in the task of supplying the United States with all the liquor it requires.

This is how they work. A\ hiskv is bought from the distillers and sent across to Bremen or Antwerp, generally the latter port, ostensibly for Continental consumption. This gets over any little difficulty there might be with regard to clearance from a British port. On the other side of the North Sea the liquor is transferred to another ship and away it sails for the United States coast.

The captain has his orders and at a given point will wait, cruising about. American buyers, having been warned of his position, send out small vessels speed boats they are called, doing anything up to 40 knots —to buy the whisky “over the rail.”