SYDNEY CUSTOMS BUNGLE

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1946, Page 7

SYDNEY CUSTOMS BUNGLE

PASSENGERS DELAYED SEVEN HOURS WOMEN & CHILDREN COLLAPSE (Rec. 1 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 18. . What is described as the worst customs and disembarkation bungle ever seen on the Australian waterfront occurred when the Monterey arrived from San Francisco with 865 passengers. Although the ship docked at 4 p.m. the passengers were still waiting for customs clearances at 11 p.m. Because of the watersiders’ strike, the crew and passengers unloaded the baggage and the officials were unable to cope with the task of examining 10,000 pieces of luggage. The ordeal began when the Monterey entered the heads at 12.30 p.m. for medical examination and clearance formalities which took more than two hours. In the wharf confusion several women and children collapsed and had to receive firstaid.

Passengers assisted, where possible, by even descending to the hold to man-handle the baggage. One Canadian seized a microphone of the loudspeaker system and managed to restore some order. The main cause of the delay was the tightening-up of the customs examination’ recently ordered from Canberra and the inadequacy of the staff who had to examine every article of luggage, from suitcases to cabin trunks. Customs officials sorting declaration forms had to erect a barrier round their table as a protection from the crowd. When the examination ceased for the night it was found that 100 of the passengers had left baggage lying on the wharf, in order to secure hotel accommodation. Many missed trains and planes. The shed was locked at 11 p.m. and special guards were posted.