AUCKLAND CARGO

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 35, 11 February 1943, Page 3

AUCKLAND CARGO

COMPLAINTS MADE DISCHARGED AT WELLINGTON

Complaints regarding the unloading at Wellington of cargo for Auckland were the subject of correspondence read at this morning's meeting of the Council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, when R{r. L. A. Eady presided. The Auckland Chamber had written to the Wellington Chamber referring to complaints about vessels insisting on unloading all cargo at Wellington, although the vessels -subsequently called at this port. In reply, a statement was quoted by the chairman of the Oyerseas Allotment Committee, who said that a quick turn-round of shipping was necessary these days, and the practice seemed to be that one port should be for discharge and one for loading. , ~ A letter from the managing director of F. E. Jackson and Co., Ltd., to Mr. G. J. Browne, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Cargo Clearance Committee and a member of the council, was then read. It stated that a recent ship had called at Wellington with, it was understood, a cargo of some GOOO tons for Auckland, which was discharged at Wellington. , Another ship brought 2000 tons of this cargo to Auckland, leaving 4000 tons to clutter up the Wellington wharves until they could be transhipped. Double handling was thus involved, and it was estimated that transhipment costs had increased by about £12,000. It was considered that the matter was developing into something approaching a "racket," by which additional freight, it was alleged, was obtained for shipping companies. Whether this was accidental or intentional, it was not known. The Auckland Chamber amplified its representations to Wellington along these lines.