Position Of Cargo Had Been Approved

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31248, 21 December 1966, Page 28

Position Of Cargo Had Been Approved

fA’.Z. Pres* Association?

WELLINGTON, Dec. 20.

The loading of bags of edible butterfat close to a cargo of chemicals in the Norwegian freighter Tarifa at Wellington on Saturday had been approved by the Dairy Board shipping inspector and the Health Department, according to a spokesman from G. H. Scales Ltd., the New Zealand agents for the Tarifa, today. Referring to a statement yesterday by an executive of the Amalgamated Waterside Workers’ Union (Mr E. G. Thompson), the spokesman said the lower forepart of No. 4 hold was the only space available on the Tarifa. “The cargo was also to be protected by plastic covers and tarpaulins. Therefore the discharge of any other adjacent cargo would not damage the butter fat in any respect,” the spokesman said. “It must be pointed out that the shipping companies are liable for full damages for loss or damage to cargo which is received for shipment in good order and condtion, and naturally take all precautions to avoid incurring losses. “Like so many similar stoppages where the watersiders set themselves up as experts, the question really is: who

are the experts? The watersiders or the proper authorities such as Government department inspectors, ship masters and their officers, and the owners of the particular cargoes?

“The public will draw their own conclusions in this respect “Those people who have read Mr Thompson’ statement are assured that all care is taken by shipping companies in the handling of all cargo, such careful handling being in the interests of the public, shippers, consignees and the shipping companies alike.”