SOUTH ISLAND IMPORTS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28440, 21 November 1957, Page 14

SOUTH ISLAND IMPORTS

Shipping Delays Discussed

A request by a member to the Canterbury Progress League for an investigation into the small number of overseas ships making Lyttelton their first port of discharge was referred by the league's council last evening to the Canterbury Chamber of Com.merce. The member complained of delays of several weeks in the unloading of merchandise at Lyttelton.

Goods from. Britain were unloaded in Wellington six weeks after date of shipment but the time was three months at South Island ports, said the chairman (Mr E. F. Ward).

“Anything we can do to increase the number of vessels making Lyttelton the first port of call will be of service to Canterbury, the South Island and trade generally,” said Mr W. D. Murie. “At present, the delay in the delivery of goods is a very serious one. Very often we find that South Island importers are in the hands of the shipping companies."

The “first available’’ overseas ship often called first at North Island ports and made its weary way round the coast, said Mr Murie. Often it would be more convenient for the importers if the sailing was missed. No doubt the population and trade of the North Island warranted the larger number of first calls. Often good? were off-loaded and transhipped to the South Island, which was frustrating as they frequently arrived later than if they had been left on the overseas vessel.

“I do know there is a great deal of dissatisfaction among importers and manufacturers because only one vessel a month is making Lyttelton the first port of call.” said Mr Murie. “The first thing we have to establish is: Who decides the priority of ports of call?”