SHIPPING TROUBLES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 9178, 29 June 1915, Page 3

SHIPPING TROUBLES.

CONGESTION AT THE BLUFF.

(Per Press Association)

INVERCARGILL, June 28

I A meeting of merchants was held to-day to discuss the dearth of shipping, at the Bluff. It was pointed out that the position was vory acute, and the available tonnage was taxed to an extent not experienced for a mimber of years, and was likely to become worse unless they got steamers. Commitments had been made for large quantities of chaff and kindred produce, the major portion being for the Defence ■authorities in Victoria, Now South Wales.

The chaff stores are in a dreadful state of congestion, and matters have reached a climax. In addition to Invercargill merchants, those at Gore have also to be reckoned with.

One speaker said that the position appeared to bo hopeless. There was sufficient cargo at Lyttelton and other ports to monopolise available boats till October, and chaff would not be wanted in Australia then.

j Finally, it was decided to lodge a protest with the Union Company; pointing out the amount of attention that other ports had received with regard to ships, while the first steamer from the Blug was set down for, July. Even then. merchants understood the Defence Department's. orders were to receive consideration, so that local produce would probably lie in store until August or October, when it would probably not be wanted, in Australia, and orders would be cancelled. The motion urged that a boat be piit on for Melbourne and the same facility be extended in regard to Sydney.