An Insult to Foreigners

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1085, 5 September 1904, Page 3

An Insult to Foreigners

Extraordinary Law New Zealand's Treatment o! Foreipj Visitors Refusal to Let Them Land Laudable Attitude of a French Gonimodori

By Telenrnph.-Press Aisociation. Auckland, this daj, On tho arrival of tho French warship Protot from Mart, Commodoro Aigard was informed by tho harbour master (hat it w» nocMwry to mako a formal application to tho authorities at Wellington for permission for tho officers and crow to land. The Commodoro stated that no such extraordinary law oxistodm any other part of tho world, and ho would not make the application, As soon as tho vessel coaled lio would leavo Auckland, and no French warship would visit Now Zealand whilo such an absurd law was enforced, Subsequently tho French Consul visitoa the vessel aud convoyed from tho Premier a cwdial welcome to the Protot and ho r Commodore, but tho Commodore stood on his dignity and adhorcd to his previous resolution.

It is understood that ho has threatened to apponl to hoadfjimrtora at Paris, Tho rulo in question has been in force for soiuo years past, but foroipn warships havo nliroys had eztromo oourtosy shown o them in tho matter of permittta" tho crows to land. This i 8 tho first inalonco in which an objection has boon raised. The Dcfonce Act, ehuso 20, provides ;- " Sp,llic " , aor sailors from foroigu warships shall not land in any port in Now ZeJnnd without tho permission of tho Govornor h»» been obtained through the Consults office." It is provided, however, that this "hall not apply to officers or men who Wish to land while the Governor's per, mission is being obtained. Hitherto the French Consuls have obtained tho necessary permit beforohand; bat the now Con™i (M. Boemoc) had not taken this pr S . caution, A JAPANESE PROTEST It Rppoara that tba Jftpaneao exposed snrprißo at tho cxistonco of tho lav qnolod '»"'0 ProletoMe on the occasion of their went visit, and mado reproicntolioM on 'ho subject to tho authorities at WohW tOL', h

OFFIGAL EXPLANATION AND A COMHiOMISE. AoreujH), this day The J'rotol incident has coino to n satisI'Mtory conclusion. After an interview Willi Iho chairman and soerotary of (ho Harbour Board, Iho Commodore said that either Iho Now Zealand or tlio French Government wow aUull in not making forcifjn warships mvarotlmt such«re»ulalion existed. He said ho was sniped with Iho explanation, and exprossod no annoyance. Ho said the stay of tho vessel would he oxtonded to Monday,

THE INCIDENT NOT CLOSED COMPLAINT TO BE MADE TO FRENCH GOVERNMENT AUOKMND, this cla.7 Tho Commodore incident lias not closed, Tho Commodore says tho matter is one (or tho Imperial Govornniont, and ho still intends to represent to tho authorities at Paris that tho regulation is objectionable,