Slow cargo collection hurting businesses

Press, 18 December 1989, Page 35

Slow cargo collection hurting businesses

PA Auckland Importers leaving unpacked cargo on the wharf to save money are delaying the unloading of goods for other near-bust businesses, port authorities say. A Port of Auckland spokesman, Mr Geoff Mowday, said some importers were slow to collect cargo because it was cheap storage or they were taking advantage of exchange rates. It meant some businesses, particularly in the clothing industry, were short of materials. The Auckland president of the Clothing Workers’ Union, Ida Dix, estimated up to 600 of its members were on four-day weeks or taking early holidays. The union has written to the Minister of Social Welfare, Dr Cullen asking for the department to make up the lost fifth day’s pay. “A lot of our members, especially solo parents, can’t afford to lose the money and they must

wait 11 weeks for a special benefit," Ms Dix said. “It’s not their fault or the employers and we want the department to make up the day’s pay” Macjays Clothing Company in Pakuranga, which employs 50 staff, closed for three days earlier this month but has reopened with enough work to last until Christmas after getting fabric from New Plymouth and Auckland ports. But a joint owner, Andy Macdonald, said it still did not have its winter fabric supplies and its Tauranga factory, with 30 staff, remained shut. The company lost $200,000 last month and is airfreighting fabric from Asia at an extra $1.50 to $2 a metre. “Every clothing company is affected and it is causing big problems because this is the peak time for fabric deliveries for the winter season,” he said. Mr Mowday said im-

porters who did not pick up unpacked cargo aggravated delays. Charges were not made for the first four days, then at $5 a metre a day, which could be cheaper than storage outside the port, he said. “They do not have to pay for the goods until they pick them up and sometimes they can make a saving despite the demeurage (charges) by waiting for the exchange rate to come down,” he said.