SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 65, 16 March 1940, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS

UNLOADING OF FERTILISER

SHIP OWNERS COMPLAIN

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND. March 14.

A shortage of railway trucks suitable for the carriage of bulk fertiliser cargoes is resulting in four fertiliser ships at Auckland discharging to only a fraction of their capacity, and has forced a fifth ship, which has arrived from overseas, to anchor in the1 stream till she dan be unloaded. A seri&us view of the situation is being taken by shipping companies [affected, and the matter was discussed at today's meeting of the whacf accommodation committee formed1 this week by the controller of the -waterfront, Mr. R. E. Price. ' It will prooably also be considered by the Auckland Harbour Board at its meeting on Tuesday. .

Since work on the wharves wasr resumed on Wednesday, after the waterfront dispute, fertiliser ships have been manned only by two gangs each,'.-.or. about a third of the total usually required. It has been found impossible to provide sufficient trucks to'''handle the output, and, even with reduced gangs, the work has been held up by the shortage. ' ■■

One official said he held the position to be the result of the Railway Department allowing fertiliser trucks to remain at stations in the country as "warehouses." ;

When the position was referred Ito; the Railway Department at. Auckland, it was said thai the exceptional number of ships made it almost impossible to supply them with the necessary trucks. Recent slips in the King Country had upset the balance of trucks, speed restrictions, arising from the damage, resulting in accumulation of tonnage. ; .