PILLAGING OF GOODS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24547, 21 April 1945, Page 6

PILLAGING OF GOODS

■ . - .♦ r-,- • DUNEDIN MANUFACTURERS AFFECTED From Qur Own Correspondent DUNEDIN, April 20. “Extreme reluctance to supply detailed information in regard to, pillaging has been shown by Dunedin manufacturers.” said Mr f. L. .Hitchens, secretary of the Ofago-Southland Manufacturers’ Association, in an interview, “but cages of organised theft between the time the goods leave the factory and reach their destination have repeatedly been brought under my notice. . We cannot specifically state, however, at which point of transit goods are stolen, Dishonesty is rife and morality ig spiralling downwards among certain sections of the community." It should be added, however, that those firms which have reported losses to the association stated emphatically that the losses had not occurred at Dunedin. "There is a Very considerable leakage in pillaging, pilfering, short landing, avoidable damage, and other causes not analysed,” said Mr Hitchens. Losses for New Zealand from these causes had increased from a known total of £9148 in 1939 to £15.817 in 1943. This year they threatened to touch a peak that would make the 1943 flgurb seem moderate. It was reasonable to> assume that the money derived from pilfering would go underground. That meant one thine—black marketing; and black marketing in turn meant pillaging. The total picture, he concluded, Implied more pillaging in 1945. Greeting Telegrams to Egypt The extension to Egypt of the greetings letter-telegram service at Empire rates was announced yesterday by the Acting-Poatmaster-General (the Hon. P. Jones). The service will be available in both directions and may be used for civilians as well as for members pf the armed forces. The Minister said the Government had been endeavouring to arrange this cheap rate service since 1940, and its introduction would provide a much-needed additional telegraphic facility at a reasonable charge.—(P. A.)