TRUCK SHORTAGE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 132, 15 March 1940, Page 3

TRUCK SHORTAGE.

FERTILISER CARGOES. DELAY AT AUCKLAND. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND* March 14. A shortage of railway trucks suitable for the carriage of bulk fertiliser cargggs is resulting in four 1 fertiliser ships at Auckland discharging to only a fraction of their capacity, and has forced a fifth ship, which arrived from overseas to-day, to anchor in the stream until she can be unloaded. A serrious view* of the situatio.n is being taken by the shipping companies affected, and the matter was discussed at to-day’s meeting of the Wharf Accommodation Committee formed this week by the Controller of the Waterfront, Mr R. E. lP'riee. It will probably also be considered by the Auckland Harbour Board at its meeting on Tuesday. Since work on the wharves was resumed on Wednesday after the

waterfront dispute, fertiliser ships hare been manned only by two gangs each, or about oiie-third of the total usually required. It has been found impossible to provide sufficient trucks to handle the output and even with the reduced gangs work has been held up by the shortage. One official said lie held the position to he the result of the Railway Department allowing fertiliser trucks to remain at stations - in-the country as “warehouses.” When the nosition

w’as referred to the Railway Depart- * ment at Auckland, it was said that the exceptional .number of ships made it almost impossible! to supply them with the necessary trucks. The recent slips in • the King Country had upset the balance of trucks, speed restrictions arising front damage resulting in an accumulation of tonnage.