IMPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 18035, 1 August 1922, Page 8

IMPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION

• DUNEDIN SHIPPING HANDICAPS. HOPE LOCAL LOADING WANTED. In moving the annual report, of the Otago Importers and Shippers’ Association last evening at the annual meeting, Mr A; E. Ushenvood (chairman) spoke of the handicap suffered) by Dunedin in regard to the Homo boats. Members would notice that the shipping companies had decided to refund os 9d pea - ton on the actual cost to the merchants of cargo discharged at Port Chalmers and Dunedin. That was a step in the right direction, but what thev wanted was the ships at Dunedin. r l ( he Ss 9dl had actually been dragged out of the shipping companies. Mr Ushenvood went on to deal with the question of having a surveyor for the port. It had been felt by the association that the consignees of Dunediu would be well protected if they had l a surveyor. He would go on board) the vessels and see. the cargo before it was broken up and discharged. They liad approached the Underwriters’ Association to so© if it would bear a portion of the cost, but he understood that it had itumcd the matter down, though the derision was to come up for revision later in the year. He had not the slightest doubt that the underwriters to-day paid! a great many claims that the ships ought to pay. Members could not see the work the association was actually accomplishing. For many reasons its doings had! to be kept secret, otherwise the object in view might bo defeated. He oould assure members, however, that their money to tho association was being well spent.. It might fairly b© stated that the remodelling of -the Dumping 'Act had been secured through the efforts of the) association, -and the matter was on a moi'o equitable basis titan a fortnight ago. A great deal of work had) been done in connection with shipping and railway matters, and the association was particularly indebted to the secretary (Mr W. Gow), whose expert knowledge of the various matters coming under - cognisance of the association was invaluable.

Mr J. Ross seconded, and instanced the lonic, which carried a large consignment of Christmas goods for Dunedin, but did not get here till the Christmas season was over, being detained at the northern ports. He had taken the matter up very strongly with his London office, but the complaint made was that there must be reciprocity. It was necessary to get goods to load at Dunedin. He would like to know if it were not possible to get in touch with the Expansion League and see if a guarantee could not be given of more loading, so that Dunedin could be made a first pert of call. Mr Ross concluded with n reference to the harbor, stating , that in view of the increase in the size of ships he considered that, it would bo a wise policy to concentrate on making Port Chalmers a first-class port instead ot trying to make the .channel between Port Chalmers and Dunedin, capable of taking these increasingly large steamers. Mr Forsyth Johnston spoke of the value of the work being accomplished by the association. Already it _ was being copied by the formation of similar associations *in Auckland and Christchurch, and there was a move to have a similar association in Wellington', while Invevtarcargill had a body with practically the same platform. They were fighting a fight for a special section of the community, and unity, they knew, was strength, in co-operation with the associations throughout' the dominion they ought to be able to make their weight felt. Mr Johnston dehit particularly .with matters in regaid to the raid ways, and said that while the restriction on thev services had not really saved the overhead expenses of the department, it had resulted in a feeling.of “go slow” being installed not only in the railwaymen, but also among the employees of the basinets houses. There were many matters in connection with,the railways that business men could show 1 the department wanted righting. In conclusion, Mr John■ton referred to tho burden the high wages to boys and juniors was placing on busi-

ne?s houses, and to a to get these reduced. Another matter was the serious disadvantage boys of secondary schools were placed in when seeking., to. enter ■‘.employment,', employers having to tirfii thorn down in view of the fact that second and third vear wages had to be paid, while the lads were of ho more use to linns after six months than wore the younger boys.] let the boys from , the secondary schools were the boys the, firms wanted, as having the better' education. Messrs H. Henderson and Ik t’nddie wore elected to tho executive,, vice Messrs Benson and Usherwood, retired. Mr H. C. Oampbcll, chairman of the Harbor Board, who is also ft member of the executive of the association, mad© some interesting statements in regard to the harbor and tho work of tho board. Mr Boss's remark about Fort Chalmers, ho considered, was thirty-five or thirtysix rears too late. Tho railway, deviation on the foreshow would make it possibleto have direct railway connection with the Victoria wharf at no distant date, nil Campbell also outlined other improvements 'the carrying out of which would greatly increase * tho shipping facilities of Dunedin. .... . The question of a reinstit-ution ot the Mel bo n me-Bln if service was brought up and discussed; shortly, also the reciprocity tariff with Australia. The ' proceedings took the form ot a smoke social? Songs wore contributed at intervals by Messrs Campbell, Haggitt, and others. On live motion ot Mr Jas. Brown a very hcartv vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman and the executive.