RAIDER AT WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1940, Page 6

RAIDER AT WORK

AT LEAST TWO SHIPS MISSING ONE SEEN UNDER FIRE OFF NAURU STATEMENT BY PREMIER. INFORMATION INCOMPLETE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), announced today with deep regret that reports received from Nauru indicated that a British ship was on fire off the island last Sunday morning. The weather was bad and poor visibility hindered observation. In the afternoon the ship was seen on fire, and apparently I being shelled by another vessel, and both shortly disappeared. All British shipping known to be in the vicinity was instructed to proceed to other ports. This instruction, and the necessary wireless silence imposed on shipping, is responsible for the fact that nothing further has been heard from Nauru and no reports have yet been received from the ships concerned, but unfortunately there appear to be substantial indications that at least one other vessel —the only one on New Zealand articles —has been intercepted by the raider. The next-of-kin of all those on board this second vessel have already been advised by telegram of all the facts that are available, and of the sympathy of the New Zealand Government in their anxiety. Wireless communication with Nauru, which is under the care of the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board, is being maintained and further information is awaited.