Boards To Review Cost Of Shipping

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29913, 29 August 1962, Page 14

Boards To Review Cost Of Shipping

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. August 28. A comprehensive review of the economics of the transport of New Zealand refrigerated produce is to be undertaken by two committees, one in London and one In New Zealand, set up by agreement between New Zealand producer boards and British shipping lines. The New Zealand committee will comprise Messrs B. R. Law, W. F. Airey and H. H. Dobie. The London committee has yet to be appointed.

The appointment of the New Zealand committee was announced today by Mr J. D. Ormond, chairman of the Meat Board, as chairman of the negotiating committee of the producer boards—the Meat Board, the Dairy Board, and the Apple and Pear Board. This announcement follows agreement reached during recent freight rate negotiations between the boards and the Conference Lines when Mr Ormond said the boards proposed to set up an independent transport investigation committee. Mr Ormond said the order of reference provided for the two committees to co-operate, so that in their respective areas matters outlined can be dealt with by the appropriate committee. “The order of reference provides for an examination of all factors of the New Zealand coast 'and elsewhere,” he said. “ ’Palletisation.’ mechanical loading, allweather loading, the presentation of cargoes alongside vessels, and whether demands for the servicing of too many loading ports in New Zealand and too many discharge ports overseas add significantly to the time of turnaround of shipping on the New Zealand coast will all be considered.

“While investigating passible economies in all services the committees are to investigate a possible expansion of the United KingdomLe Havre-Hamburg direct service and critically evalue the West Indies direct service.

“The committees are to examine whether there are uneconomic demands in the procedures and shipping require-

ments of the apple and pear, dairy, and meat industries. They are also to examine other export shipping requirements and their effect on the economics of the homeward trades. “They are also to examine, jointly and individually, the distribution and functioning of export ports round New Zealand to ascertain possible adverse effects on the costs of servicing inward and outward trades and recommend any advantageous alterations. “The committees are authorised to inquire into other matters in the interests of possible reduction in sea freight costs and will be expected to seek submissions from interested parties which will also freely be given opportunity to present evidence,” said Mr Ormond. “The four British shipping lines under contract to the producer boards wholeheartedly welcome Mr Ormond’s announcement,” said the chairman of the Overseas Shipowners’ Committee (Mr F. D. Harris) tonight.