SAFEGUARDING OUR SHIPPING.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1941, Page 4

SAFEGUARDING OUR SHIPPING.

DOME uncertainty appears as to the reception given by the Government 1 in the first instance to representations by Captain J. H. Miller, of the Holmwood, on the subject of the transmission from this country to enemy raiders of information regarding shipping movements. Captain Miller is reported as having stated in explicit terms in Christchurch that he had put it to our Government that there was a leakage of information to raiders and that it had been replied that this was impossible. The Prime Minister (Mr Fraser> has now stated that he is quite sure Captain Miller’s remarks must have been misunderstood, that no member of th.e Government could have, or would have, made any such statement, and that as a matter of fact the Government had taken a very serious view of the .statements by Captain Miller. Captain Upton of the Rangit.-me and others with reference to information reaching the raiders, and consequently had called for a full report from the Navy. What really matters of course is that nothing that can be done to provide for the safety of ships trading to and from this country should in- left undone. There cannot be any doubt about the Government’s duty in (he matter. Neither is it in doubt that a strong printi facie case is made out in support of the view that enemy raiders in the Pacific have been getting information from New Zealand, and from Australia. The transmission of this information appears t< imply undetected action either by introduced enemy agents or by traitors The situation is one that may well cal! for a bold use of the extraordinary powers with which the Government has been entrusted m it. conduct of the war An intimation by the Prime .Minister ihM it is expected that the full inqmry recommended by the Navy Board ■•■.•ill be commenced during the present week may be welcomed unreservedly, provided it (toes »>.’ imply that action directed to safeguarding shipping is to be deferred until the inquiry report has been received and considered The right thing I' l do b ; l” institute forthwith all the protection of Mopping that can meantime be devised. It must be hoped. indeed, that new measures of tins kind have beer, adopted since the recent lassi < f ships m the Pacific became known The evidence that has been adduced by reputable witnes: es <>f information passing to < r.emv raiders a .<( a somewhat -naggering char- ; cter mid has made it manifest that w< aknes-'c- exist which must inremedied without delay. With the .no,stance i f its ex; <-r; advisers, the Government is m ■’ position at oner to introduce and enforce valuable safeguards The inquiry now order*-d should be regarded, not as ~ ;i excuse for delaying any useful and helpful action, but a- a meum of a- svmbling the information that will enable the p:ct.,,n .f -.hipping 1,. In- extended to its practicable limit-: Account has ’■<> be taken, not only of < n< my action or trvao.n withm our borders, but of defects and looKenesx in internal org.imsalimi which mav allow information tn pars :<■. the t-nemy 'I he v. tmp- held <-f ; publicity and communications miPt be <-y<-d :i<>t i'-ast radio . ; other publicity i: * an apparently innocent character -.vini-ls may b,.- m.,<.!<• a means of convvym K mL.nmdhm to the wi.mg quarter There may be room, amongst other things, for rm overhaul of routini business com. murdcations relating to shipping arriv.ib and departures Our port re. gulations certainly should be examined with a va-w >o providing -.he greatest j..-sc;bl<- safety of shipping The G .vcrr.mrn: mt;--; be prepared to show tl-.at it 1C doing all that it can d< ;n this vital matter..