Meat On Pallets Wanted

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31232, 2 December 1966, Page 3

Meat On Pallets Wanted

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 1.

Freezing companies should give a lead to cargo - container development by setting targets for their own produce, the conference on cargo-hand-ling recommended at its final session today.

Mr R. A. J. Smith, assistantchief engineer to the Auckland Harbour Board, said the people best equipped to get “unit” cargo under way were the people responsible for producing the goods to be exported. In his opinion, the meat industry was ready to ship its cargo in pallet form now. Mr W. R. Mathieson, of the North Island Freezing Companies’ Association, said it was unreasonable to expect the freezing industry to produce an over all result in a specified time. It could only undertake to do it as quickly as possible. The conference supported

the Transport Commission as the appropriate authority to investigate transportation techniques. It recommended that unit cargo and mechanisation based on available facilities be introduced immediately and that the transport industries involved should offer incentives to speed up the process.

Integration of effort between road, coastal shipping, rail and other transport services was suggested. It was also recommended that the Standards Association should consult with the Transport Commission to determine the order of priority for standards.

Judge K. G. Archer, of the Transport Commission, said he saw a recognition that New Zealand must stand on its own feet and decide what was in its own best interest. New Zealand must decide whether to use a mixed container and pallet service or a full container system. Which system would leave most in the pockets of New Zealanders was the crucial question.

Before deciding on the type of ship to be used, a lot of

detailed study would be needed. The Australian Government had decided on container vessels and against a dual plan for Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand could not afford to be left in this position.

Mr C. Hilgendorf, of the Meat Board, said New Zealand must either go fully into the container-ship system or not at all. The economic position must be carefully examined.