DANGER OF FLOATING MINES.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1918, Page 8

DANGER OF FLOATING MINES.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A conference, representing harbor boards, chambers of commerce, and the New Zealand Ship-owners' Federation, was held to-day to consider the restrictions of navigation of Cook Strait, and afterwards .the delegation interviewed the Ad,ing-Trime Minister and Minister of Marine, hut neither interview was open to the press. Later, Sir James Allen told a reporter that there seemed to be an impression that the Government had prohibited the navigation of Cook Strait by coastal vessels, except in daylight. This was not so. These ships had been warned that mines might be floating in those waters, and advised to work the Strait in daytime. With regard to ocean going steamers, these had been absolutely ordered to work the Strait in daylight, he cause it was considered the risk of loss of sues ships was too serious to be taken. The deputation had asked th® Government to adopt further mejins foi the sweeping of mines, hut it was explained that it was not practicable to do very much more than was being done, because of the varying depths at which the wines were found. Owners of coastal boats had asked also for eom® Government assistance in the matter of insurance, for which they were asked to pay very high- rates. This qufcstion he promised to discuss with the other members of the Government.