STORAGE OF CARGO

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 182, 30 April 1941, Page 9

STORAGE OF CARGO

Serious Congestion In Wharf Sheds

CONFERENCE MEETS Move To Find Solution Of Problem The conference of representatives of shipping and commercial interests and Government departments called by the Wellington Harbour Board to discuss ways and means of relieving the present serious congestion of cargo in the board’s wharf sheds in order that essential and adequate space might be made available for the more rapid reception and delivery of cargo was held yesterday. The main aspects of the problem were discussed and an advisory committee was set up to investigate it in more detail.

The chairman of the harbour board, Mr. W. L. Fitzherbert, presided, and those who attended were: The New Zealand representative of the Overseas Ministry of Shipping, Sir Alexander Roberts; Overseas Shipowners’ Allotment Committee, Mr. E. V. Bevan; New Zealand. Shipowners’ Federation, Mr. G. G. McFarlane, Mr. L. H. Bowman; Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Mr. A. L. Wall, member, Mr. E. M. Bardsley, secretary; Associated Banks, Mi. p. L. Porter, assistant general manager of the Bank of New Zealand; Wellington Carriers’ Association, Mr W. I. J Blyth; Wellington Customs Agents, Mr B. Ginger; New Zealand Farmers Union, Mr. A. P. O’Shea, Dominion secretary; Waterfront Control Commission, Mr. R. E. Price, chairman, Mr. J. Roberts, member: Customs Department, Mr. E. D. Good, comptroller, Mr. K. J. Gray, collector; Railways Department, Mr. J. Sawers assistant-general manager ; Public Works Department, Mr. E. Travers, stores manager; Wellington Harbour Board, Mr. J*. 0. Johnson, Mr. C. M. Turrell, Mr. A. Wyness, members; officers of the harbour board, Mr. F. W. Reed, chief executive officer, Mr. N. J. Oliver, secretary, Captain M. P. Congdon, traffic manager and cmei wharfinger. ■, „ In his opening address, Mr. Fitzherbert said he would like to make itclear that the board’s sheds were for the temporary storage of goods transit only and were not Intended to ■be used for the storage of goods beyond the reasonable period necessary for importers to comply with the usual formalities in regard to the requirements of the Custor.c? Department and the obtaining and lodgment of shipping said Mr. Fitzherbert “goods are remaining ni the boards sheds for. long periods, with the result that the accumulation of goods has reached a position which, if not immediately relieved, will mean that insutflcleht accommodation will be available tor the handling of inward cargoes, with consequent serious • interference with the effort that is being made to give the utmost possible quick turn-round to overseas vessels so vitally necessary at nrosent. , “The sea-borne trade of this Dominion is being maintained' by the indomitable spirit and determination of the officers and men of the mercantile marine service who, by their courageous example, make possible the steady flow of commerce along the of the Empire. We must see to it that this great effort bn the part of those associated with the transport of our overseas trade is not nullified by avoidable delays, in the stay of ships at this port as a result of our inability to give the utmost co-operation in the expedltious removal of cargo from these wharves.” Mr. Fitzherbert said the board would appreciate any suggestions the representatives present might wish to offer in an endeavour to reach a solution or the problem, and he invited them to enter into a full discussion. He said he felt sure that when all the factors contributing to. th* present situation had been discussed some workable plan would be devised to overcome the probAn Imperial Necessity. Sir Alexander Roberts emphasized the vital necessity of saving all the time possible while vessels were on the New Zealand coast by working extended hours and by centralizing ports of call as far as possible. Whatever measures were necessary to keep o-pen the storage accommodation in the board’s sheds must be carried out as a matter of Empire necessity. Captain Congdon outlined in detail the difficulties being faced under present conditions and stressed tne necessity for delivery of cargo from vessels taking place as soon as possible after each ship commenced work. He hoped that the conference would serve to speed up the delivery of cargo so that the harbour board sheds would become really transit sheds only. It was pointed out in the discussion that the difficulties had been accentuated by .the centralization of shipping. That had meant that more space had been required in the wharf sheds for the assembly of cargo from and to other ports, in addition to the normal amount consigned to Wellington. All the representatives of the interested parties outlined their views on the position and their many difficulties. It was decided to set up an advisory committee to go more closely into the questions raised and to endeavour to arrive at a solution of the difficulties. ' The advisory committee comprises Messrs. Wall, Gray, Blyth, Sawers and Ginger and Captain Congdon. Mr. Wall was elected chairman.