COAL BOAT'S DELAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 63, 15 March 1944, Page 3

COAL BOAT'S DELAY

QUESTION OFFLOADING

allegation of inefficiency

(0.C.) GREYMOUTH, Tuesday. Arising from the coal crisis in Auckland, a statement was issued to-day by the Greymouth branch of the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Union:—

Somebody in authoritv is to blame for this serious 'state of affairs," the statement says. "Had the Karepo loaded all coal for Auckland, instead of half coal and half timber, this ship could have sailed on Friday night with over 2000 tons of coal and been ready to discharge the coal by the latest on Tuesday morning in Auckland and thereby saved the critical position that has arisen in Auckland.

"If the timber is urgently needed, then, instead of sending a ship empty to Australia, she could have been sent to Grey and taken a full load of timber to Auckland, and by this action both the coal and timber position in Auckland would have had considerable relief. This timber ship that we are referring to is a shallow draught ship and has often traded to Greymouth.

"As the position is now, the inefficient planning of the loading of the ship means that the Karepo is bar-bound and when she does eventually arrive in Auckland the industries concerned will have to wait several days while the timber is being discharged before they will be able to obtain the coal of which they are in so urgent need."