SMUGGLERS BUSY

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1932, Page 7

SMUGGLERS BUSY

INCREASE in ENGLAND. RESULT OF TARIFFS. LONDON, June 22. A. startling increase in smuggling since the tariffs on certain articles came into being has i!ed to the formation of posses of amateur coastguards in all parts of England. It is believed that intensive smuggling is going on via the River Thames, and that ali kinds of goods are bgillg landed i>n the Essex side of the rivet: In ’.Southend a marine section ,i>L the Legioll of Frontiersmen has been .formed to keep 4 sharp watch oil the coast. Members are former; naval officers «nd skilled yachtsmen who know the district thoroughly, and are prepared to patrol the coast 'at .any time of the day or night. They -have been given permission to anchor their craft at a creek off Leigh-on-Sea. ■ Another part of. the Ea~ex coast believed to be used by smugglers is between Clacton and Burnham. In parts it is very desolate, and one can spend hours there without meeting a soul. Many rumours are current in the neighbourhood of the River Backwater that smugglers are busy in the district. The land in this district is flat and marshy, and convenient for boats com- ,\£ over by night from France, Holland, and Belgium. The principal articles carried are wines, spirits, tobacco, silks, scents, and dresses.

The smugglers use fart motor-boats, knd keep in touch with the shore agents by means of shortwave wireless telephony. In some instances fast cars also fitted with wireless wait to collect the goods and riV-h it to the various disposal stations in London. Horseshoe Dock, Dagenham, is a point where Customs officials have difficulty in reaching, and many strange craft have been seen in the vicinity recently. In case of being boarded by Cu f* tom.s agents many smugglers have their good' done up in waterproof wrappings and trail them under water.