Uncertainties In Shipping

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31656, 17 April 1968, Page 12

Uncertainties In Shipping

(N.Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND, April 16. Orders from SouthEast Asia for paper and pulp products could not be confirmed because shipping services were too uncertain, said the general manager of the Bowater Paper Company (N.Z.), Ltd, Mr K. H. Wade, today. A British freighter, the Chefoo, recently placed on the service, would only help move the backlog of such products, said Mr Wade. Some products had been waiting shipment to these markets | since early in March. The company believed that I the present increase in New I Zealand exports to South-east ' Asia was a long term trend. iand not a temporary hump. The Chefoo was expected to make only one round voyage. Her sailing would bring the Bowater trade to Japan up to date, but the company had some problems with orders for other parts of the Far East, said Mr Wade. There would be no doubt, he said, that New Zealand's ability to secure and hold bigger markets in South-east Asia would depend on the shipping companies’ ability to provide adequate services. The secretary of the New! Zealand Eastern Shipping; Committee (Mr R. V. Taylor) said investigations into cargo, requirements were going on! all the time.

It was clear that provision must be made to export very substantial quantities of pulp and timber products.. Five lines were members of the committee, and about one sailing a week was made to South-East Asia. The Chefoo was put on the services because all April sailings were fully committed. The committee played no favourites in handling exporters’ goods, but must ensure that regular shippers

were covered, he said. Large quantities of meat, wool and dairy produce were sent to Eastern countries. Mr Taylor said it was important to know the exact! amount of timber products to l

be carried month by month because all cargoes had to be planned. Although the Chefoo was making only one voyage, ! other ships would be put on 1 the run if required, he said.