DECLINE IN PILLAGING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 3

DECLINE IN PILLAGING

INTER-ISLAND CARGO MINISTER’S STATEMENT (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Inquiries originated by the Minister in Charge of the Police Department, the Hon. P. C. Webb, show that the number of cases of pillaging goods reported in the last 12 montns has decreased. This is stated in a reply by the Minister to a request by The Press, Christchurch, for his comment on reports of a serious increase in pillaging. “The inquiries,” the Minister states, “reveal that the number of cases of pillaging reported during the last 12 months is less than the number reported during the previous 12 months. Pillaging of goods in transit between the two islands has been on a smaller scale than in previous years. “I am advised that, in many instances, the toss of goods is due to the faulty packing, valuable articles being contained in brown paper parcels or cardboard cartons tied with twine or light wire. Such packages will not stand handling in transit and are often found burst open and their contents scattered or exposed, thus rendering it a simple matter for a dishonest person to obtain possession of the goods. "There is also evidence that pillaging takes place either before the goods are received at the wharves or after their removal therefrom.”