French Warship at Auckland.

Manawatu Herald, 6 September 1904, Page 3

French Warship at Auckland.

OFFICERS AND CREW PREVENTED FROM LANDING. On arrival of the French warship Protet from Hobart at Auckland yesterday. Commodore Aigard was informed by the harbourmaster that it was necessary to make formal application to the authorities at Wellington for permission for the officers and crew to land. The Commodore stated that no such extraordinary law existed in any other part of the world, and he Would not make the application. As soon as the vessel had coaled she would leave Auckland, and no French warship would visit New Zealand while such a law was enforced. Subsequently the French Consul visited the vessel and conveyed from the Premier a cordial welcome to •the Protet and the Commodore, but the Commodore stood on his dignity, and adhered to his previous resolution. It is understood he threatened to appeal to Paris. The rule in question has been in force for some years past, but foreign vessels have always had extreme courtesy shown to them in the matter of permitting crews to land. This is the first instance of objections being raised. The Defence Act, clause 26, provides that soldiers or sailors from foreign warships shall not land at any port in New Zealand without permission of the Governor, obtained through the Consular office. It is provided, however, this shall not apply to officers and men who wish to land while the Governor’s permission is being obtained. Hitherto the French Consul was accustomed to obtaining the necessary permit beforehand, but the new Consul (Boeufve) had not taken this precaution. It appears the Japanese expressed surprise at the existence of the law quoted in the Protet case on the occasion of their recent visit, and made representations on the subject to the authorities in Wellington. THE INCIDENT ENDS SATISFACTORILY. Later. The Protet incident has come to a satisfactory conclusion. After an interview with the chairman and secretary of the Harbour Board the Commodore said either the New Zealand or French Governments were at fault in not making foreign warships aware that such a regulation existed. He was satisfied with the explanation, and expressed no annoyance. He said the stay of the vessel would be extended to Monday,