PILLAGING AT AUCKLAND

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25365, 12 December 1947, Page 6

PILLAGING AT AUCKLAND

MEASURES TAKEJi BY

BUREAU CO-OPERATION BY POLICE DEPARTMENT (PA.) AUCKLAND, December 11. The adoption of the constitution and the start of operations of an antipillaging bureau at Auckland was announced by Mr W. H. Knox at a meeting of tha council of the. Auckland Chamber of Commerce. Mr Knox said that representatives from the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, the Auckland Harbour Board, the Bureau of Importers, the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association, the Auckland Retailers’ Association, the Marine Underwriters’ Association, 'Lloyd’s insurance brokers of London in New Zealand, the Port of Auckland Shipping and Stevedores’ Association, the Auckland Master Carriers’ Association, and the Railway Department were working together to clean up at least one epidemic. The bureau was receiving the close co-operation of the Police Department, and a high-ranking officer was a consultant member of the bureau. Wharf police now had their own establishment, and the move should be of great assistance to the bureau. Invitations were being sent to all persons concerned with receiving or shipping of goods to join the bureau. He added that about £15,000 had already been paid out this year in settlement of pillaging claims at Auckland by insurance companies. This figure referred to the country of origin values only, and meant that more than' £50,000 worth of imported goods was passing through the black market or illegitimate channels. Mr Knbx sSid the national aggregate of pillaging a year must be considerable. If the state of affairs was permitted to continue it would not oniy disrupt internal economy, but would affect the moral fibre of the people. It was hoped to establish the bureau on a national basis early next year.

The chamber agreed to give 20 guineas towards the funds of the bureau. 11,3