SHIPS SEARCHED

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1933, Page 5

SHIPS SEARCHED

ACTIVITIES ON BIG SCALE.

SEEKING SMUGGLED SILVER.

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, June 28,

The Karepo was searched for silver this morning, before leaving for Newcastle, but none was found. A strong protest against searching the Marama for silver, and the practice of searching inter-colonial ships between New Zealand ports, was made by the president of the Seamen's Union (Mr Welsh) to-day. He said that official representations would be made on the matter. Silver could bo in possession of any member of the crew for payment of a. debt in a New Zealand port, and yet if a member of the crew had more than £2 of wages jn silver, on board tile ship, when it wag searched before leaving the first New Zealand port, the money could be seized.

"If a ship leaving Wellington for Auckland could be searched,” said Mr Walsh, “ there was no reason why passengers leaving by rail could not have their luggage searched.” Another matter that called for protest was that it had been learned that Matson vessels at Auckland were not being searched. In connection with this statement of Mr Walsh, the,, “Post” is given to understand. that tiie search for silver at Auckland! on a. big scalo only began last week, with the Wanganella, and no American vessel has arrived since that took place. £l5O SEIZURE ON MARAMA. WELLINGTON, June 28. Further information regarding tile police raid on the Marama on Tuesday night gives the amount of silver confiscated at £l5O. No arrests were made at Wellington. The vessel will arrive at Auckland to-morrow.