FOOD PARCELS LEFT BEHIND

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25364, 11 December 1947, Page 6

FOOD PARCELS LEFT BEHIND

LINER LOADED DOWN TO MARKS WATERSIDERS CRITICISE DECISION (P.A.) AUCKLAND Dec. 10- , Two thousand bags of food parcel mail, half the ship’s allocation, were left behind when the Shaw Savill and Albion liner Corinthic sailed from Auckland to-day for London, via Australia and South Africa. Although cargo space was still available at sailing time, the liner had been loaded down to her marks, and no more cargo could be taken. One thousand of the bags will be taken by the same company’s Fordsdale, due in Britain three days afier the Corinthic. Negotiations were in train for the remainder to go by the Wellpark, due about 17 days after the Corinthic. Criticism of the company’s action was expressed by the Auckland Waterside Workers’ union. It agreed that the liner was loaded down to her marks, and could take no additional cargo, but maintained that food parcels could have been loaded instead of general cargo for Cape Town, or even wool fors Britain. Cargo had been shut out because the Corinthic was carrying more cargo in her refrigerated holds than was anticipated, said Mr R. J. Foreman, the company’s acting-m trine superintendent at Auckland. Additional quantities of butter and greater shipments of telescoped mutton and lamb had come down. As these foodstuffs had to be shipped, the Corinthic was down to her marks before all parcels and a consignment of milk powder could be put on board. Opportunities for shipment to Cape Town were few, and as a definite commitment had been made some time previously to carry 22$ toils of seed and foodstuffs it was decided to carry out the agreemerit, said Mr Foreman, who added that the cargo taken out at Cape Town would be replaced by foodstuffs for the United Kingdom. The commander of the Corinthic (Captain G. M. Robertson), who was making his first voyage to New Zealand after six years in command of the troopship Mataroa, said the union was in no position to offer criticism. “We should have been away from here a fortnight ago. I have been at sea for 40 years, and I have never before spent five weeks in a port in any one place in my life. This ship should be making another voyage every year.” Before the liner sailed Post Office staff began to move the mail bags from a wharf shed to the Fordsdale, which will leave Auckland on Wednesday. She will now carry 8000 bags, instead of her previous- allocation of 7000.

“All my space is booked up for cargo, but I am going to move heaven and earth to lift those parcels, even if we have to store them in rooms,” said the master of the Wellpark (Captain Walker). The Wellpark will reach London about February 3.