The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, February 20, 1915. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1364, 20 February 1915, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, February 20, 1915. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Cr chrystat.i, informs us that Le has definitely decided to stand for the mayoralty at the forthcoming municipal elections. It will be remembered that Cr Chrystall stood down in favour of the present Mayor two years ago. Since entering the Council Cr Chrystall has been actuated by the highest motives, and is held in high esteem by his confreres. He is well equipped for such high office, and will in due time set before the public his claims to their support. The silting mayor, Mr Stiles, has served the borough well and faithfully for a long period, both as Councillor and Mayor, and although a busy business man has ever carried out bis duties faithfully, and at times at personal sacrifice. Mr Stiles has not yet stated that he will again offer his services for a further term. If, however, he does so decide it will stimulate interest in municipal affairs, and bring certain matters before the burgesses that require elucidation. It is a little early yet to open the ball, and probably there will be other aspirants in the arena. An election will create a healthy interest in municipal matters, and we may look forward to a stirring up of the municipal pot.

The British Foreign Office has issued the following statement: — “The use of the neutral flag, with certain limitations, is well established in practice as a ruse de guerre. The only effect in the case of merchantmen wearing a flag other than their national flag is to compel the enemy to follow the ordinary obligations of naval warfare and satisfy himself as to the nationality of the vessel and the character of the cargo, by examination, before capturing and taking them before the prize court lor adjudication. The British Government has always considered the use of British colours by a foreign vessel as legitimate for the purpose of escaping capture. Such action not only involves no breach of international law, but is specifically recognised by law in this country. In the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, it is enacted : Tf a person uses the British flag and assumes the British national character on board a ship owned wholly or in part by persons not qualified to own a British ship for the purpose of making the ship appear British the ship shall be subject to forfeiture under this Act, unless the assumption has been made for the purpose of escaping capture by an enemy, or by a foreign ship of war in the exercise of some belligerent right.’ In instructions to British Consuls in 1914, it was stated that ships were liable to capture if the British character were improperly assumed. except for the purpose of escaping capture. As we have in practice not objected to foreign merchant vessels using the British merchant flag as a ruse for the purpose of evading capture on the sea at the hands of a belligerent, so we should maintain that iu the converse case a British merchant vessel had committed no breach of international law in assuming neutral colours for a similar purpose if she thought fit to do so.’’