CO885-24 — Page 163

OVERSEA PRIZE DISPOSAL COMMITTEE.

Minutes of Meetings and Appendices.

1 MINUTES.

PUBLIC RECORD

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OFFICE

19

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· Reference :——

CO. 885

PUBLIC RECOR OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT. PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAM NOT TO

THE FIRST MEETING of the Committee was held at the Colonial Office on Thursday, 19th November, 1914, at 3.15 p.m.

The following members were present:-

VICE-ADMIRAL SIR E. J. W. SLADE, K.C.I.E., K.C.V.O. (Chairman).

MR. W. J. EVANS, Admiralty.

MR. G. L. BARSTOW, C.B., Treasury.

MR. G. ROPER, Board of Trade.

MR. H. W. MALKIN, Foreign Office.

MR. C. B. L. TENNYSON, Colonial Office.

MR. R. A. WISEMAN (Secretary).

A statement was made to the Committee by Mr. Tennyson as to the ships which were being dealt with by the Colonial Office with a view to their being forwarded on to their original destination with their cargoes. In particular, be mentioned the "Hamm," "Apolda," Birkenfels," detained at Cape Town; and the "Schneefels" detained at Gibraltar. He explained what had been done so far with regard to these ships, and the Committee agreed that it was not possible for them to take any action in regard to them at the moment.

Mr. Tennyson informed the Committee that suggestions had been made that, if the Prize Court legislation were amended by extending the jurisdictions of the Overses Courts and making them concurrent and coextensive with that of the Prize Court in the United Kingdom, the management of cases of this kind would be considerably facilitated. He pointed out, however, that the difficulties which had to be got over in these cases were of a practical rather than a legal nature and that it appeared doubtful how far these could be removed by legislation. matter was, however, one which deserved careful consideration.

The

The Committee then considered the question of certain ships detained at Alexandria. It was understood that one application had been received in respect of four ships of the Hansa Line, but that there was a considerable number of other ships also detained in that port.

Mr. Evans read a letter from the London Chamber of Commerce offering to take over the charge of these ships, and it was explained that the Chamber of Commerce had taken similar action in regard to ships which had been detained in the United Kingdom. Mr. Malkin pointed out, however, that among the difficulties to be considered, was the fact that it had not yet been decided whether the ships at Alexandria could be regarded as captured or as detained ships. It was also stated that some of the ships might possibly be requisitioned for Government purposes. The Chairman pointed out that, before dealing with the ships, it would also be necessary to consider how the cost would be met if the ships were moved from Alexandria. There would be various expenses which would have to be incurred for items such as coal, oil, wages, etc. Mr. Tennyson added that the question whether the Government wished to make a profit out of the freight would also have to be considered.

Among the practical questions which would arise was the consideration that, if the freight on the goods in these ships had been paid in advance, the freight would have to be paid again and the shippers would naturally complain at having to make such nayments. The only alternative, however, would be to unload the The Chairman goods, when the shippers would be in a much worse position. stated that he considered the best course to pursue would be to select a firm to whom the ships or ship could be hired and who would be willing to run them on

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