An Extraordinary Law.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 208, 6 September 1904, Page 3

An Extraordinary Law.

CURIOUS INCIDENT AT AUCKLAND. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, September 5. On the arrival of the French war;hip Protet from Hobart, Commodore Aigaid was informed by the harbourmaster that it was necessary to make formal application to the authorities i n Wellington for permission for the officers and crew to land. He stated that no such extraordinary law existed i n any other port in the world, and that he would not make application. As soon as the vessel could she would leave Auckland and no French warships would visit New Ziealgnd while such a law was enforced. Subsilquentry the French Consul visited the'vessel and conveyed from the Premier a cordial welcome to the Protet and' her commodore, hut the commodore stood o n 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 or some years past, but foreign warships have always had extreme Jourtesy shown them in the matter of permitting crows to land. This is the first instance In which objection has been raised.

Tie 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, that this shall not apply to officers and men who wish to land while the Governor's permission is being obtained. Hitherto the French Consul has been accustomed to obtain the necessary permit before landing, but the new Consul (M. Boeufve) had not taken this precaution. Tho Protet incident came to a satisfactory conclusion. After an interview with Utp chairman and secretary of the Harbour Board, the commodore said either New Zealand or tho French Government was at fault in not making foreign warships aware that such regulations existed. Ho was satisfied with the explanation, and expressed no annoyance. He said the stay of the vessel would ibe extended to Monday.

OBJECTIONABLE REGULATIONS.

Later. Tho commodore says the matter Is one for the Imperial Government, and he still intends to represent to Paris that the regulation is objectionable.

It is stated that the Japanese expressed surpriso at the existing law (quoted in the Protet ease) on the occasion of their recent visit, and made representations to tho authorities In charge^,.