SLOWER LOADING

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 April 1946, Page 6

SLOWER LOADING

SHIPS DELAYED ON NEW - ZEALAND COAST FACTOR IN HIGHER COSTS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 22. The opinion that too much publicity was being given to the few statements of a few malcontents Avho were critical of conditions for passengers on troopships, was expressed by Captain W. H. Hartman, master of the s.s. Akaroa, now at Wellington. Captain Hartman appealed for a more tolerant attitude on the part of travellers, and expressed the hope that less notice would be taken of their views.

Captain Hartman said he thought many people who had planned trips for “after the war” would be inclined to reconsider their decision when they found out what the fares would be. Factors which must affect the cost of passages, were the present high cost of maintaining ships, and the heavy increases in the cost of shipbuilding, and the slower loading of, ships on the New Zealand coast. The present eight-hour day for seamen, and similar conditions which were foreshadowed for victualling staffs, not only increased operating costs, but meant that more crew would have to be carried. This must result in reducing either cargo or passenger accommodation, with added. expense for each trip. He said if there were a reduction in the hours of work of those engaged in the preparation of meals, or even under • present conditions, “austerity” menus would be likely to continue. He thought it unlikely that the wide table service previously supplied could be restored. Ship-building costs were estimated to have risen 150 per cent., so that the replacement of tonnage lost during the way would be a serious financial risk. Captain Hartman estimated that, allowing for depreciation, it would cost £5OO a day to handle a new ship in New Zealand ports, and because of the present loading time which he considered to be double pre-war time, the huge cost of lengthy stays on the New Zealand coast must make the operating of a new ship a highly speculative venture.